§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will be proposing legislation to amend section 10 of the Contempt of Court Act, in respect of the interests of justice category; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenSection 10 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 provides that no court may require a person to 287W disclose, nor will he be guilty of contempt for refusing to disclose, the source of his information in a publication for which he is responsible, unless it is established to the court's satisfaction that disclosure is necessary in the interests of justice or national security or for the prevention of disorder or crime. We believe that these are and remain proper grounds on which to allow a court to insist on disclosure.