§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on the proper balance between investigative journalism and protection of private individuals from intrusion and harassment.
§ Mr. DorrellThe Government's conclusion on this matter will be set out in our response to the National Heritage Select Committee's report on privacy and media intrusion.
§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for National Heritage (1) if he will make it his policy to incorporate a public interest defence into any forthcoming legislation on privacy;
(2) when he expects to publish a White Paper on privacy and the media arising from the Lord Chancellor's review and the Calcutt report; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. DorrelThe Government's conclusions on the need for fresh legislation to protect privacy will be set out in our response to the National Heritage Select Committee's report on privacy and media intrusion. I cannot yet say when that will be published.