HC Deb 16 February 2000 vol 344 c1064

Question proposed, That the clause stand part of the Bill.

Mr. Douglas Hogg (Sleaford and North Hykeham)

I am sorry to rise on what is, in essence, a technical point, but such matters should be addressed in Committee.

I have no objection to the prohibition on the broadcasting in broadcasting services of contemporaneous referendum material. That is right and one cannot object to it.

What troubles me is that clause 120 seems to prohibit a broadcaster, who wanted to take an historical view of the way that referendum campaigns had been carried out over some time, from broadcasting long after the original broadcasting material had been published. That seems to be a serious restriction on free speech. It would prevent broadcasters from analysing the material several years after the original broadcast. It is possible that I have misread the clause, but I do not think so.

Mr. Mike O'Brien

I hope that the right hon. and learned Gentleman has misread the clause; it is not intended to do what he describes. I will consider the point that he raises and write to him about it. If it is necessary to amend the clause because it would have the effect that he claims, we shall consider doing so.

Question put and agreed to.

Clause 120 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

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