§ CAPTAIN MORRISON-BELL (Devon, Ashburton)I bog to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to a petition received by the Members of Parliament for Devonshire constituencies passed by the South Devon Farmers' Association, showing that, whilst they approve of the general principle of trial by jury, they strongly condemn the present system whereby it becomes possible for one juryman to be called four times in succession, when others are not called once in forty years; and whether he will take action in this matter, either by legislation or otherwise.
§ MR. GLADSTONEI have not seen the petition which the hon. Member mentions, but complaints with regard to the summoning of jurors reach my Department from time to time; and in October last I issued a circular to the Under Sheriffs calling their attention to the matter. From the replies which I received to that circular it appears that most Under Sheriffs fully realise the hardship involved in summoning a man to serve on a jury too frequently, and do their best to prevent such hardships. Where cases such as are mentioned in the Question occur, they should be brought to the notice of the Under Sheriff. I have no authority to take any further action in the matter, and I fear that I cannot make any promise as to legislation.