§ 35. Mr. Iremongerasked the Attorney-General if he will refer to the Law Commission, the question of the need for reform of the law of defamation, with special reference to the principles upon which damages are assessed by courts, and the relationship between the scale of damages awarded in the last five years against defendants, and the scale of fines for criminal offences.
§ The Attorney-GeneralAlthough the Law Commission is making good progress with its first programme, it is not yet ready to undertake the examination of another substantial subject and my noble and learned Friend the Lord Chancellor considers that it would be premature to refer this particular topic to the Commission at present.