HC Deb 21 January 1999 vol 323 c578W
Dr. Tony Wright

To ask the Minister of State, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to permit licensed jury deliberation research. [66693]

Mr. Hoon

The Government have no plans to amend section 8 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981, which effectively bars research into how a jury has conducted its deliberations. It is possible to conduct research into certain other aspects of the jury system without contravening the Contempt of Court Act. Any proposals received by the Government for such research are considered individually.