§ 62. Mr. Peter Bruinvelsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to seek to increase the jury age limit; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HurdThe present upper age limit for jury service is 65. The White Paper on plans for criminal justice legislation (Cmnd. 9658) invited comments on a proposal that those between 65 and 70 years of age should in future be eligible for jury service but excusable on request. The proposal has been well received. It would give older people an opportunity to participate in an important form of service to the community, while widening the pool from388W whom jurors are drawn. We have therefore decided to take an early opportunity to bring forward legislation to effect the change.