§ 25. Mr. GUYasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that, in the course of a criminal trial proceeding before the High Court of Justiciary at Edinburgh, a postponement of the proceedings for 10 days has been rendered necessary owing to the illness of a juror, which occurred on the eighth day of the trial; and whether he will undertake to introduce legislation at an early date to obviate a similar interruption in the conduct of criminal trials in the future?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for SCOTLAND (Major Sir Archibald Sinclair)I am aware of the point to which my hon. Friend refers, and I am in consultation on the subject with my right hon. Friend the Lord Advocate.
§ Mr. GUYDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that, unless immediate steps are taken to prevent similar interruptions, this particular trial may never be completed?
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRYes, Sir. I do not think, however, that any legislation which this House might pass now could apply to this particular trial, at any rate without the consent of all the parties to the case; but certainly the considerations which the hon. Member has in mind are in my own mind, and that is why I am in consultation with the Lord Advocate.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIn the event of this particular juryman not recovering, is it proposed still to go on with the trial?
§ Sir A. SINCLAIRThat, I think, is a hypothetical question.