§ 1. Mr. Dribergasked the Attorney-General if he will consider revising, in the light of modern circumstances, the qualifications required of members of a special jury.
§ 3. Mr. Piratinasked the Attorney General whether he will introduce at an early date legislation to abolish the property qualification for special jurors.
§ The Solicitor-General (Sir Frank Soskice)The matter referred to has been for some time under consideration, but no final decision has yet been reached.
§ Mr. DribergDo I take it that my hon. and learned Friend is sympathetic to the general view expressed in the Question?
§ The Solicitor-GeneralThere are arguments which are strongly in favour of it, and there are also arguments the other way round, and all of them will be taken into account.
§ Lieut.-Commander Gurney BraithwaiteHave not special juries as at present constituted recently carried out their duties in an admirable fashion?
§ The Solicitor-GeneralThat is not for me to say.
§ Mr. Sydney SilvermanDoes not the answer to that question depend upon what their duties are conceived to be and does my hon. and learned Friend think it possible long to continue in this country 2144 two different standards of justice, dependent on a property qualification in the tribunal?
§ Sir Peter MacdonaldWhat is wrong with the present system of choosing special juries, by which people are chosen because they are people of substance?
§ The Solicitor-GeneralThat is the very thing which is said to be wrong with it.
§ Mr. PiratinCan the hon. and learned Gentleman tell us when he expects to be able to make some announcement on the findings of the investigation?
§ The Solicitor-GeneralAs soon as possible.
§ Mr. Manningham-BullerIs it to be inferred that the Solicitor-General is suggesting that these special juries, in recent actions, did not abide by the oath they took?
§ The Solicitor-GeneralI make no such suggestion.