Lord CHELWOODasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will include in the forthcoming legislation a clause banning the publication of forecasts based on opinion polls of the result of the Referendum on Britain's membership of the European Community for two weeks prior to the Referendum and until the result is announced.
§ Lord SHEPHERDA similar proposal in connection with General Elections was considered in another place during the passage of the Representation of the People Act 1969 but rejected. There are difficulties of principle and enforcement in imposing such a ban. The Government have no plans to do so for the Referendum.
House adjourned at seven minutes before six o'clock.