HC Deb 19 November 2001 vol 375 cc100-1W
Lynne Jones

To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will lift the ban on research into the deliberations of juries. [15179]

Mr. Wills

Research into the deliberations of juries is subject to the provisions of section 8(1) of the Contempt of Court Act 1981. Sir Robin Auld in his recent report on the criminal courts recommended that no amendment should be made to section 8(1) of the Contempt of Court Act. The Government have made no decisions in relation to any of the Auld recommendations, and the report is currently the subject of public consultation.