HC Deb 28 April 1966 vol 727 cc940-1
33. Mr. Tilney

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation on the lines of that on divorce proceedings forbidding the reporting in the Press of the details of murder cases.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

There are formidable objections to this proposal, but I am aware of the public concern and will give the matter further consideration.

Mr. Tilney

While everyone wants to ensure that justice is seen to be done, and that ultimately full records are available, would the Home Secretary bear in mind that there is unlikely to be any benefit to society as a whole for sordid details of perversion to be available in the daily Press at breakfast time for all the family?

Mr. Jenkins

I do bear this in mind and the matter causes me concern, as I know it does the hon. Member, but I should not like to underestimate the formidable objections to a restriction on the reporting of criminal proceedings.

Sir Knox Cunningham

Would the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that divorce proceedings are primarily a matter between civil litigants, whereas the public have always a real interest in criminal trials?

Mr. Jenkins

I do bear in mind that there is not an exact similarity between the two kinds of case.

Mr. Ogden

Would my right hon. Friend bear in mind that some of the Press reports of the trial at present proceeding in Chester—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. Gentleman must not refer to a trial which is at present proceeding.

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