text_body: --- DIVISION TITLE ---
  
  Constitutional Reform And Governance Bill â New Clause 22 â Written tests for Judicial Appointments
  
  --- MOTION EFFECT ---
  
  The majority of MPs voted against an amendment intended to remove written tests from the process of appointing judges in the UK. 
  
  New clause 22 proposed amending section 88 of the Consitutional Reform Act 2005 to add the words:  "At no stage during any selection procedure may the [Judicial Appointments] Commission apply any written tests.â [1]
  
  In the debate[2] Conservative Shadow Minister for Justice Henry Bellingham argued against the tests[3] as they have the side effect of making the fact someone has applied for a judicial position public.
  
  Government Minister Michael Wills said there were arguments for and against written tests and the independent Judicial Appointments Commission should determine the selection processes. [4]
  
  <ul>
  <li>1. <a href="http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200809/cmbills/142/amend/pbc1420411m.1501-1507.html">Amendment Sheet</a> (Search for NC22)</li>
  <li>2. <a href="http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2009-11-04a.890.2">Link to debate</a></li>
  <li>3. <a href="http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debate/?id=2009-11-04a.897.1">Conservative Shadow Minister for Justice Henry Bellingham</a></li>
  <li>4.<a href="http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debate/?id=2009-11-04a.908.2">Justice Minister Michael Wills</a></li>
  </ul>
  
  <p pid="a.919.1/6"><i> The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Committee_of_the_Whole_House">Committee of the whole house</a> divided:</i> Ayes 150, Noes 329.</p>
  
  
  
  --- COMMENTS AND NOTES ---
  
  (put thoughts and notes for other researchers here)
  