§ 15. Mr. ThomasonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress he has made on his plan to prevent those on bail from serving on a jury.
§ Mr. MacleanThe Criminal Justice and Public Order Bill, which is currently receiving consideration in another place, provides that people on bail will be banned from jury service.
§ Mr. ThomasonI welcome that answer. May I take it that my hon. Friend considers it unacceptable for a person to be in the dock one week and in the jury box the next?
§ Mr. MacleanAbsolutely. That is the main reason why we have taken this sensible step. The Royal Commission on criminal justice also recommended that persons on bail should be disqualified from jury service, and I think that making that necessary change will enhance the status of the criminal justice system.