§ 2.52 p.m.
§ LORD AMWELLMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in any future case of newspapers "merging", they will take steps to ensure that readers are protected from having alternative productions foisted upon them, and that time is given between the announcement and the merger to allow readers the opportunity of ordering newspapers of their own free choice.]
§ THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (THE EARL OF DUNDEE)My Lords, Her Majesty's Government have no power to prevent a newspaper proprietor, or anyone whom he may depute to distribute his publications, delivering them to someone 'who may not, in fact, be willing to receive them. The noble Lord, like anyone else, is entitled to refuse to receive a newspaper that he has not ordered. I am advised that in the circumstances envisaged by the noble Lord, he would not be liable for payment if he notified the distributor at the earliest opportunity. On the facts at present before me, I do not think that it would be right for Her Majesty's Government to seek to assume powers to hold up newspaper mergers for the purpose suggested by the noble Lord.
§ LORD AMWELLMy Lords, is the Minister aware that a newspaper I did not want was put into my letter box; that I had no opportunity whatever of getting another paper in its place, and that I am not concerned about the three-pence I lost?
§ THE EARL OF DUNDEEMy Lords, if I were in the noble Lord's place I should put the newspaper in the wastepaper basket, and would not pay the threepence.
§ LORD AMWELLBut I had no newspaper.