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Proceeding contribution from Lord Thomas of Gresford (Liberal Democrat) in the House of Lords on Wednesday, 10 June 2009. It occurred during Committee of the Whole House (HL) and Debate on bill on Coroners and Justice Bill.

Coroners and Justice Bill

I am interested in the first reason given by the Minister because, going back to my early years, as I mentioned, I worked in a coroner’s office. I recall that it was customary to pray a tales and get the necessary numbers for a jury by simply going around the town and finding people. Perhaps that is not the best way of doing it. While welcoming the Minister’s indication, I have one more point. The noble Lord, Lord Dubs, before he had to leave, asked me to mention his Amendment 22. The Bill could currently mean that you could have a decision by coroner’s jury of 5:3, which is not much more—only one more—than a simple majority verdict. The noble Lord, Lord Dubs, representing the Joint Committee on Human Rights, had asked to insert that the minority in any circumstances should consist, ""of not more than two"." I ask the Minister to consider that amendment as he considers the amendment that has been moved.

Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
711 c702 
Session
2008-09
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
Subjects
Children Disclosure of information Codes of practice Devolved matters Administration of justice Armed forces Death Accidents Certification Coroners Custodial treatment Families Inquiries Juries Electronic surveillance Evidence Intelligence services Legal aid scheme Ethnic groups Mental illness National security Police Powers Public interest Prisons Newspaper press Minority groups Relatives Post-mortems Lord Advocate Psychiatric hospitals Scotland Registration Young people Road traffic Suicide Secure psychiatric units
Legislation
Coroners and Justice Bill 2008-09
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk