HC Deb 13 April 1869 vol 195 cc757-8

Order read, for resuming Adjourned Debate on Amendment proposed to Question [17th March], "That the Bill be now read a second time;" and which Amendment was, to leave out the word "now," and at the end of the Question to add the words "upon this day six months."—(Mr. Newdegate.)

Question again proposed, "That the word 'now' stand part of the Question."

Debate resumed.

MR. BAINES

said, the Mover and Seconder of the Amendment had intimated to him their intention not to persevere with the Amendment. He therefore begged now simply to move that the Bill be read a second time.

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER

said, he had no objection to the second reading of the Bill which proposed to amend the Law of Libel. The first clause of the Bill proposed to exempt newspapers from penalties under the existing Law of Libel on proof that the alleged libel was a true and fair report of the proceedings at a meeting lawfully assembled for a lawful purpose, open to reporters for the public newspapers, and at which a reporter was present for the purpose of reporting the proceedings of such meeting for a public newspaper, and that the report was published in such newspaper by the defendant bonâ fide without actual malice, and in the ordinary course of business. The third clause proposed that the speaker of defamatory matter should in certain cases be liable to be sued as if the same were printed and published. The latter clause appeared to him calculated to limit the right of public speech and of freedom of discussion, and therefore he was glad to state that the hon. Member had acceded to his desire that it should be omitted. He had further to suggest the insertion of the following words in the first clause, after the words bonâ fide, "having reasonable respect to private character and to the preservation of decency."

MR. CRAUFURD

could not approve the Bill, notwithstanding the alterations suggested by the right hon. Gentleman. He thought the matter should have been left in the hands of the Government to deal with.

MR. BAINES

assented to the Amendment proposed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Question put, and agreed to.

Main Question put, and agreed to.

Bill read a second time, and committed for To-morrow.