§ 55. Mr. McKayasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that workmen are frequently called to sit as jurymen on cases which last for several days and that the payment they receive is less than the wages which they have lost through absence from employment; and if he will consider taking steps to alter the law so that a workman will receive the loss sustained, or a higher maximum payment than that allowed at present.
§ Sir H. Lucas-ToothThe compensation for loss of earnings payable to jurors is limited by Section 1 (1) of the Juries Act, 1949, to a maximum of 20s. a day. The Juries Bill at present before Parliament proposes to remove this statutory limit and to leave it to the discretion of the Home Secretary, with the consent of the Treasury, to prescribe the rates of compensation by Statutory Instrument. My right hon. and learned Friend cannot make any further statement at present.