HC Deb 05 July 1983 vol 45 cc64-5W
Mr. Speller

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce measures to prevent abuses of cheque book journalism to ensure that family or associates of criminals do not profit from this relationship or association.

Mr. Mellor

In principle it is preferable, if at all possible, to rely on non-statutory controls. The Government recognise, however, the strength of public concern in this field and therefore very much hopes that the Press Council's guidelines, which were recently strengthened to refer to persons associated with criminals, will prove to be effective.