§ Lord BEAUMONT of WHITLEYasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they have taken and are intending to take with regard to Resolution (74) 26 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, on legislation on the individual's right of reply to the Press, radio and television.
§ The MINISTER of STATE, HOME OFFICE (Lord Harris of Green-wich)Existing practices for dealing with complaints both in the Press and in broadcasting go a good way towards complying with the "minimum rules" propounded in the resolution, although they are not based on statutory requirements. The complaints machinery and the related question of the right of reply are among the subjects which it is open to the Royal Commission on the Press and the Committee of Inquiry into the Future of Broadcasting to consider, and the Government are awaiting the reports of these two bodies before deciding whether further action is desirable.
House adjourned at ten minutes before ten o'clock.