34. Captain R. TERRELLasked the Home Secretary whether any instructions have been issued as to the calling of women jurors; whether any fixed percentage of men jurors is recommended; whether a prisoner can demand to be tried by a jury of his or her own sex; and whether the right to challenge can be exercised in regard to sex alone?
Sir J. BAIRDRules have been made under the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act with regard to the service of women on juries by the Rule Committee of the Supreme Court on the 12th July last, and by the Rule Committee established under the Indictments Act on the 15th of the same month. They provide that on every panel of jurors men and women shall be ass nearly as possible in the =same proportion as in the list from which the panel is drawn. A prisoner is not entitled to be tried by a jury of his or her own sex, but it is within the discretion of a court, on application made to it, to order that a jury shall be composed wholly of men or wholly of women. The right of challenge remains as it was before the Act. It is for the court in each case to determine how it may be exercised.