§ 45. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Attorney-General whether he will take steps to enable petitions for declaration of legitimacy to be heard in camera.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. William Whiteley)I have been asked to reply. Legislation would be required to give effect to the hon. and gallant Member's proposal. Whether the proposal is desirable is a matter of opinion, but I will consider the matter.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonWill my right hon. Friend draw the attention of the Attorney-General to the remarks made by the judge in a recent case at Brenford County Court where an old lady of 73 had to give evidence about events of over 50 years ago, and whether it is not possible in those circumstances to allow the same privacy in legitimacy proceedings as is done in adoption proceedings?
§ Mr. WhiteleyYes, Sir; that is one of the matters which the Attorney-General has in mind.