HC Deb 15 November 1962 vol 667 cc535-6
1. Dame Irene Ward

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has completed his consideration of improvements in women's representation on the Juror Service arising out of the representations made by the National Council of Women, a deputation from whom was introduced to his predecessor by the hon. Member for Tynemouth; and if he will make a statement.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Henry Brooke)

After considering the representations referred to by my hon. Friend, I have decided to appoint a Departmental Committee to review a number of general questions regarding jury service, including the representation of women on juries. I will announce its membership and terms of reference as soon as possible.

Dame Irene Ward

May I thank my right hon. Friend for his action? Has he any idea how long this Committee is likely to take over this work? He has not indicated what its full programme will be. Is my right hon. Friend further aware that the National Council of Women, which has been primarily responsible for discussing the matter of increasing the number of women in jury service, will be profoundly appreciative of his decision?

Mr. Brooke

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for what she has said. I cannot say how long the Committee will take to do its work. The principal Act in this matter goes back as far as 1825, and there has not been an inquiry for the last forty-nine years. The Committee will therefore have some work to do. I hope that it will be able to begin early in the New Year and complete the work as soon as possible.

Sir B. Janner

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has been considerable agitation about this for quite a long time? The law really produces an absurd position. For instance, only about 200 women are eligible for jury service in my constituency out of the registered electorate of some 53,000. Cannot the right hon. Gentleman do something to remedy the position straight away without having this long delay through the appointment of a Committee?

Mr. Brooke

The hon. Gentleman may be under-estimating the complexities of this matter. I rather wish that he had expressed his welcome to my decision, as did my hon. Friend.