§ 39. Mr. Lipsonasked the Attorney-General whether, in order to further the cause of justice and to prevent the growth of disaffection among His Majesty's subjects, His Majesty's Government will introduce legislation to provide legal protection to religious bodies and other similar communities against libels and slanders?
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe Government are not prepared to introduce legislation to deal with one particular aspect of the law of defamation. My hon. Friend will be aware that a committee was established shortly before the war under the Chairmanship of Lord Porter 1791 to inquire into the law of defamation as a whole, and that this committee was compelled to suspend further operations during the progress of the war.
§ Mr. LipsonDoes that answer mean that further consideration will be given to this matter? Is the Attorney-General aware that in some countries this legal protection is provided?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI think my answer meant that we are not proposing to consider amending the law in one particular respect or in another during the war.
§ Mr. LipsonWhen a change is made, will this particular point be taken into account?
§ The Attorney-GeneralNo doubt when Lord Porter's Committee resume deliberations after the war they may consider this particular aspect of the matter, and there will be nothing to prevent my hon. Friend or anyone else drawing attention to it at that time.