HC Deb 19 December 1963 vol 686 c250W
64. Mr. Parker

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that certain newspapers contract with the accused or witnesses involved in criminal cases, prior to the hearings before the courts, to provide stories for publication, and that evidence before the courts might be conditioned to make such stories news worthy; and if he will introduce legislation to prohibit such contracts being made until the courts have adjudicated.

Mr. Brooke

I appreciate the hon. Member's anxieties; but I am not convinced that legislation of the kind suggested is the best way of meeting them.