§ Order of the Day for the Third Reading read.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLORMy Lords, I beg to move that the Bill be now read a third time.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 3a.—(The Lord Chancellor.)
§ LORD RANKEILLOURMy Lords, may I ask the noble and learned Lord whether he is able to say anything on the point that I brought forward on Second Reading as to the position of executors who found themselves in possession of extremely confidential documents, the publication of which might be most detrimental to the public interest? I did not move to extend the scope of the Bill as I quite realise that the Government could not possibly extend the scope of this Bill without involving themselves in a great deal of time and trouble, but the noble and learned Lord did say he hoped to look into the particular point I raised.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLORMy Lords, the point mentioned by the noble Lord has been looked into. Under the date of March 10 last I addressed a long letter to the noble Lord informing him of what has been done in regard to this point. It was pointed out in that letter that Section 2 of the Act of 1911, so far as it relates to documents, etc., connected with prohibited places, applies to any person, and that Section 1, subsection (2), of the amending Act of 1920 contains a number of relevant provisions, in particular the provision in paragraph (b) which makes it an offence if any person
on obtaining possession of any official document by finding or otherwise neglects or fails to restore it to the person or authority by whom or for whose use it was issued or to a police constable.Accordingly, if the executor, as the noble Lord suggested, attempted to resort to blackmail he could be dealt with under other provisions of the law, which might be known to some of your Lordships. It would, accordingly, somewhat surprise me if it were not possible to deal, in one way or another, with the case which the noble Lord has put. But the Government are extremely obliged to him for drawing attention to the point. It will certainly be looked into and considered if there should be occasion for future amendment 188 of the Acts. As your Lordships know, at the moment the Government have declined to enlarge the scope of the present Bill, and do not feel, therefore, that the present is an appropriate occasion for dealing with the point which the noble Lord has raised.
§ LORD RANKEILLOURMy Lords, I am very much obliged to the noble and learned Lord for his reply. I was not quite sure whether he said he had written to me, but if so I have not yet got his letter.
§ THE LORD CHANCELLORThe letter was posted on the 10th, and I can only express regret that the noble Lord has not yet received it.
§ On Question, Bill read 3a.
§ An Amendment (Privilege) made.
§ Bill passed, and sent to the Commons.