§ 27. Mr. MatesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his plans to amend the right to elect trial by jury. [126146]
§ 29. Mr. BreedTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his plans to change the right of defendants to elect a jury trial; and if he will make a statement. [126148]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThe Criminal Justice (Mode of Trial) (No.2) Bill is part of our programme to modernise the justice system and to make it more responsive to the needs of victims, witnesses and the public at large. Giving the courts, rather than defendants, the power to decide whether either-way offences should be heard in the Crown Court would reduce delay and secure a more efficient system of justice.