a
In the absence of the electric current, the free electrons in a conductor are in a state of random motion, like molecule in a gas. Their average velocity is zero. i.e. they do not have any net velocity in a direction. As a result, there is no net magnetic force on the free electrons in the magnetic field. On passing the current, the free electrons acquire drift velocity in a definite direction, hence magnetic force acts on them, unless the field has no perpendicular component.