§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if he will seek powers to empanel parallel juries to allow the study of the dynamics of juries and how they reach their verdicts. [106723]
§ Jane KennedyThere is no intention to seek the powers to empanel parallel juries for research into juries. Any proposals received by the Government for such research are considered individually.
§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what research he has commissioned on the jury system and how juries arrive at their verdicts. [106724]
§ Jane KennedySuch research is currently restricted by section 8 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981. No research has been commissioned by the Lord Chancellor's Department into how juries arrive at their verdicts.