HL Deb 11 November 1975 vol 365 cc1749-50

[Nos. 5–7] After Clause 2, in subsection (3), in line 7, leave out from ("containing") to ("and") in line 11 and insert ("such practical guidance as is referred to in that subsection")

LORDS AMENDMENT IN LIEU

In subsection (3), in line 7, leave out from ("containing") to ("and") in line II and insert ("practical guidance on the matters specified in subsection (2) above together with such other matters as may have been agreed among the parties mentioned in subsection (1) hereof").

The Commons disagreed to the Amendment numbered6 proposed by the Lords in lieu of the Commons Amendment numbered 5, to the Lords Amendment numbered 1, but proposed the following amendment in lieu of the Lords Amendment numbered 6:

In subsection (3), line 7, leave out from ("draft") to end of subsection and insert (",in accordance with subsection (3A) below, a charter containing such practical guidance as is referred to in subsection(I) above, and shall lay the draft before both Houses of Parliament.

(3A) Where, or so far as, there appears to the Secretary of State to be agreement among the parties referred to in subsection (1) above on any matter relating to the freedom of the press, he shall incorporate in the draft charter such practical guidance as he thinks appropriate to give effect to that agreement; and where, or so far as, there appears to the Secretary of State to be no such agreement on any of the particular matters mentioned in subsection (2) above as included in matters relating to the freedom of the press, he shall incorporate in the draft charter such practical guidance on that matter as he thinks fit.")

6.43 p.m.

Lord SHEPHERD

My Lords, I beg to move that the House doth not insist on their Amendment No. 6 in lieu of the Commons Amendment No. 5, to which the Commons have disagreed, and doth agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 7 in lieu of the Lords Amendment No. 6. I understand that this is an Amendment which has been agreed with the noble Lord, Lord Goodman. It is one of improvement and not one on which I should have thought your Lordships would wish to divide.

Moved, That the House doth not insist on their Amendment No. 6 in lieu of the Commons Amendment No. 5, to which the Commons have disagreed, and doth agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 7 in lieu of the Lords Amendment No. 6.—(Lord Shepherd.)

Lord GOODMAN

My Lords, in the present state of total chaos, it appears to me to represent in rather better phraseology an Amendment which we moved and which was accepted by the Government the last time we discussed the matter. What it amounts to is that we asked for a restriction on the matters which the Secretary of State could insert in the charter to be limited to those matters referred to in the preamble in the initial clause. This was accepted and this Amendment says the same thing more elegantly.