HC Deb 23 June 1966 vol 730 cc884-6
25. Sir B. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to deal with the anomalies at present existing in the jury system.

46. Mr. St. John-Stevas

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will introduce legislation to implement the recommendations of the Morris Report on jury service.

Mr. Taverne

The Government intend to introduce legislation on the lines proposed by the Morris Committee, but I cannot yet say how soon.

Sir B. Janner

I am much obliged for that reply, but does my hon. Friend realise that the Report has been out for a considerable time and that the matter is of pressing urgency? Will he expedite the introduction of the necessary legislation?

Mr. Taverne

I realise that the Report has been out for some time, but my hon. Friend will, for his part, realise that there is considerable pressure from competing Measures for legislative time. I cannot myself give any undertaking, as he will understand, on when this legislation will be introduced.

Mr. St. John-Stevas

I appreciate the good intentions and reforming zeal of the Home Office team, but can the hon. and learned Gentleman explain why his Department has been unable to secure any grant of Government time for this and other important reforms?

Mr. Taverne

That is not correct. There are several Bills coming forward in this Session with which the Home Office is concerned.

Mr. Hector Hughes

Will the amending legislation deal with the relative advantages and disadvantages of the majority verdict system?

Mr. Taverne

That is not a matter arising on this Question, because there was no recommendation from the Morris Committee on the subject.

Mr. Hogg

If there is such pressure on Government time in this House, will the hon. and learned Gentleman and his right hon. Friend consider the possibility of introducing legislative reforms of this kind in another place, and, when he does that, will he bear in mind that some of us at least do not share the almost religious veneration for the jury system which was expressed in the Report?

Mr. Taverne

The right hon. and learned Gentleman will know that, even if legislation is introduced in another place, it will still have to go through this House, so that that would not really solve the problem. On the second point he raised, his observation is noted.