§ 13. Mr. John MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes he plans to make regarding jury service by people on bail.
§ Mr. MacleanSection 40 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 excludes people on bail from jury service. This provision will come into force early next year.
§ Mr. John MarshallDoes my hon. Friend accept that that will be welcomed by many people because many crimes are committed by individuals on bail, which is far too easy to obtain?
§ Mr. MacleanI thank my hon. Friend for his warm welcome for those sensible provisions in the Criminal Justice Act. People want us to strike a sensible balance between those who can serve on juries and those who, because of their criminal conduct and being charged with an offence, would be inappropriate to serve on a jury. That sensible measure, too, has been welcomed by the police service.