To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when he plans to publish the responses to his consultation paper on the right to trial by jury; [67582](2) what research he has
(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the election of trial in the Crown Court by defendants charged with an either-way offence since 1 October 1997; [67580]
(3) what steps he plans to take regarding the right to trial by jury following his consultation paper of July 1998; and if he will make a statement. [67583]
No research has been conducted into the election of trial in the Crown Court by defendants charged with an either-way offence since 1 October 1997. The consultation paper on determining the mode of trial, considered whether defendants should be able to choose to be tried by a jury in cases which magistrates have indicated that they would be content to hear. We are currently considering the responses to this consultation exercise and will make a statement when we have reached a final decision.