§ 38. Mr. Moreasked the Attorney-General whether his attention has been drawn to the recent case of Goody v. Odhams Press; and what steps he is proposing to take to remove the present legal anomalies which made possible the bringing of this case.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe Law Reform Committee is at present considering, as part of its review of the law of evidence, whether or not a criminal conviction should be admissible in evidence in subsequent civil proceedings, including, of course, libel proceedings. I have no doubt that the Committee will have the decision in Goody v. Odhams Press well in mind.
§ Mr. MoreWhy have the Government in the past 12 months been deliberately blocking a Bill of mine which won a place in the Ballot and which is to deal with Press freedom, particularly the anomalies that oppress the newspapers of this country, including those to which this case has drawn attention?
§ The Attorney-GeneralI have indicated that the matter has been under the consideration of this highly-powered and 84 expert Committee, and its report may be received shortly.
§ Mr. HoggAs both the cases referred to in the Question and a subsequent case were adverted to in the Court of Appeal, will the Government act on the report if it is positive?
§ The Attorney-GeneralWe shall wait to see it, but a report emanating from this source carries very great weight. Indeed, the Government have been endeavouring to give effect to reports from this source in the course of the past 2½ years.