§ 59. Mr. Lawrenceasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what approach he has received from the Court of Human Rights on the matter of contempt of court in connection with the ban on publication of the thalidomide story in the Sunday Times; and what reply he has submitted.
§ Mr. HattersleyThe European Commission of Human Rights has declared admissible an application made by theSunday Times that the injunction to ban publication of the thalidomide story was a contravention of Article 10 of the European Convention of Human Rights which safeguards freedom of expression. Her Majesty's Government have denied that allegation. The commission will now examine the merits of the case.