§ VISCOUNT SIMONMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government whether, in view of the unanimous recommendations of the Committee on the Law of Defamation presided over by Lord Porter, the Report of which was presented to Parliament in October, 1948, and of the opportunity which now arises for promoting useful legislation which does not involve Party conflict, they intend to introduce a Bill dealing with this subject.]
§ THE LORD CHANCELLORMy Lords, careful consideration has been given to the recommendation to which the noble and learned Viscount refers but, as he is aware, the subject is by no means an easy one, and I am unable to say when it will be possible to introduce legislation.
§ VISCOUNT SIMONMy Lords, while thanking the noble and learned Viscount for that answer, may I ask this question? In view of the authority which must attach to a Report for which Lord Porter is mainly responsible on the subject of amending the law of libel, and of the widespread feeling that amendments in the law of libel are called for, and while I admit that the subject is not an easy one, will my noble and learned friend do his best to see that this subject, which is not a matter of Party conflict, is kept in the forefront for consideration for early legislation if possible?
§ THE LORD CHANCELLORMy Lords, I confess I view with some sympathy the point of view which the noble and learned Viscount has expressed, and, subject to political exigencies which one cannot foresee very clearly at the present time, I will see what I can do to assist in this matter. But I can give no sort of undertaking.