27. Miss WARD (for Lieut.-Colonel CRUDDAS)asked the Attorney-General whether he is aware of the hardship incurred by persons who are summoned as jurors, both in London and at assizes, and sometimes kept in attendance for weeks before they are needed; and will he consider instituting an inquiry into the steps which might be taken to ensure that jurors are not summoned till they are wanted?
Lieut.-Colonel Sir A. LAMBERT WARD (Lord of the Treasury)I have been asked to reply. Careful inquiry has been made both in London and on the circuits, and no case has been found of a person summoned as a juror being kept in attendance for weeks before he is wanted. It is not possible to ensure that jurors shall not be kept in attendance before they are empanelled as the exact length of cases cannot be foreseen, and the necessity for empanelling a fresh jury in the event of the disagreement of a jury causes additional uncertainty. Care is taken to obviate, so far as possible, the inconvenience caused to those who render this necessary public service, and the matter is being further reviewed in order to ensure that no unnecessary inconvenience is caused.