§ The Chairman of CommitteesMy Lords, I beg to move the second Motion standing in my name on the Order Paper. At the request of the Select Committee I feel that I should say a word or two about this matter.
This is an unusual Motion. The Select Committee on Animals in Scientific Procedures was appointed by the House in March. Some witnesses have been called before the Committee; for example, those who work for companies involved in animal experiments. They have expressed their concern at being filmed while giving evidence. They are worried in particular that their photographs could be shown on the world-wide web. Your Lordships will be aware that already there have been attacks on people working in this area. Under the rules of the House, normally broadcasters have the right to film any public meeting of Select Committees. The only way to exclude cameras is to hold the meetings in private.
The Select Committee does not wish to keep out members of the public, nor to prevent sound broadcasting of its proceedings. It simply wishes to have the power to prevent the televising of a meeting that might endanger witnesses. The Motion before the House will give the Committee that power. As the Motion makes clear, this applies only to this committee and will not affect the broadcasting of other committees of your Lordships' House.
Moved, That the Select Committee on Animals in Scientific Procedures shall have power to refuse to allow the televising of proceedings to which strangers are admitted.—(The Chairman of Committees.) On Question, Motion agreed to.