§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to review the method of random selection of juries or to introduce legislation thereon.
§ Mr. John PattenProvisions of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 which came into effect on 5 January this year have abolished the right to challenge jurors without cause, and ensure that a person summoned for jury service may not have it deferred indefinitely. We expect to bring into effect in July provisions enabling people up to the age of 70 to serve as jurors, if they are willing to do so. We will keep the working of the jury system under review but we have no present plans for further changes in the law.