HC Deb 06 August 1980 vol 990 cc559-61
Mr. Speaker

Does the hon. and learned Member for Leicester, West (Mr. Janner) wish to make the same application as I rejected two or three days ago?

Mr. Greville Janner

I do, Mr. Speaker, because there have been a series of new events.

I beg to ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House, under Standing Order No. 9, for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that should have urgent consideration, namely, the danger to the freedom of the press due to the decision of the House of Lords in the case of the British Steel Corporation v. Granada. The matter is urgent, because it has been reported today that Granada cannot comply with the ruling that the House of Lords gave last week. It cannot name the British Steel Corporation employee who leaked BSC's confidential documents.

Since your previous ruling, Mr. Speaker, the Prime Minister has stated that the Law Commission's report—which had been expected by the end of the year—will have to be reconsidered. Indeed, the report may not appear until later. In addition, since your ruling, the Attorney-General has stated that the House of Lords will not give reasons for its sad judgment until the next Session. In the meantime the vacation court will sit. The journalists involved, those who employ them, and other journalists, are at grave risk.

The matter is both urgent and important. I had no hesitation about renewing my application under Standing Order No. 9. If we were to have a debate the House could emphasise to the British Steel Corporation that, despite the judgment of the House of Lords, the matter should not be pressed further and—

Mr. Speaker

Order. The hon. and learned Gentleman is advancing the argument that he would advance if I were to grant him the Adjournment.

Mr. Janner

I shall conclude immediately. The matter is urgent, because the court that sits during the vacation will have to consider what to do with any application. In addition, it is important that the House should have an opportunity to express its views to the court. I hope that all hon. Members agree that courts should act as though legislation were pending and should treat journalists as being unable to comply with such a ruling in private matters.

Mr. Speaker

The hon. and learned Gentleman gave me notice this morning that he would ask leave to move the Adjournment of the House for the purpose of discussing a specific and important matter that he thinks should have urgent consideration, namely, the danger to the freedom of the press due to the decision of the House of Lords in the case of the British Steel Corporation v. Granada. I listened with concern to the hon. and learned Gentleman's argument, but I have to rule that his submission does not fall within the provisions of the Standing Order and, therefore, I cannot submit his application to the House.