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Consultation Document (Making Decisions)

Dr. Iddon: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if she will list those organisations and individuals who have been sent copies of the consultation document "Making Decisions: Helping People who have Difficulty Deciding for Themselves". [55289]

Ms Rosie Winterton: The consultation document "Making Decisions: Helping People who have Difficulty Deciding for Themselves" has been sent to the organisations listed who have an interest in all aspects of mental incapacity. Many private individuals have also received copies on request and the document is available on our website.

























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Dr. Iddon: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what assistance she received from the Voluntary Euthanasia Society prior to publication of the consultation document, "Making Decisions: Helping People who have Difficulty Deciding for Themselves". [55290]

Ms Rosie Winterton: The consultation document, "Making Decisions: Helping People who have Difficulty Deciding for Themselves" seeks views on a series of leaflets which offer practical guidance and set out the current legal position with regard to decision-making on behalf of mentally incapacitated adults. As part of the compilation of this guidance, the Voluntary Euthanasia Society commented on factual information that was to be provided on advance directives.

Jury Service (Exemptions)

Mr. Lilley: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many people summoned for jury trial last year were excused on the basis of the statutory exemption of their profession. [55458]

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Mr. Wills: During the 2001 calendar year, 579,157 summonses were issued by the Jury Central Summoning Bureau. 175,644 (30.3 per cent. of those summoned) people were excused from jury service, of which 32,321 (5.6 per cent. of those summoned) were excused as of right.

We do not collect statistics of the individual reasons why people are excused by right. We have however taken a three week sample in eight courts to obtain an estimate of the number of excusals. The sample showed that 1.3 per cent. of those summoned were excused on the grounds of their profession. If this figure is accurate then nationally this would equate to under 7,500 of the 579,157 summoned.

Ministerial Papers

Brian Cotter: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department in what circumstances the 10-year rule applies with regard to the pulping of ministerial papers; how long the rule has been in existence; and who is responsible for determining which material is to be destroyed. [56027]

Ms Rosie Winterton: I have no knowledge of any 10-year rule concerning the pulping of ministerial papers. Ministers' official papers are public records and, in common with all public records, are reviewed for disposal or preservation in line with the requirements of the Public Records Act 1958 and the 'thirty-year rule'. The Public Record Office has recently published guidance entitled 'Management of Private Office Papers', which is available on the Public Record Office website at http://www.pro.gov.uk/recordsmanagement/standards/ privateoffice.htm.

Crown Courts

Mr. Lidington: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what options are being considered by the Courts Service for improving the quality of Crown court accommodation and for the provision of new Crown court buildings in Buckinghamshire. [55831]

Mr. Wills: The Court Service is constantly seeking to improve Crown Court accommodation to meet modern standards and changing requirements. Various options are being considered for replacing the current Crown Court accommodation in Buckinghamshire. We have concluded that the existing accommodation cannot be refurbished to meet modern standards. The options, including the possibility of entering into a Private Developer Scheme, need to be developed further and the appropriate funding secured.

Mr. Lidington: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans his Department has for the future of the Crown Court buildings in Aylesbury. [55832]

Mr. Wills: The Court Service is currently seeking to renew the leases under which it occupies the Crown Court accommodation in Aylesbury for terms expiring in March 2007. Options are being considered as to how the longer term accommodation needs in Buckinghamshire can best be met.

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