§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what plans he has to amend the law on defamation. [30597]
Mr. John M. TaylorThe Government have announced a number of reforms to defamation law and procedure. On 16 December 1992, the Lord Chancellor announced that the Government would introduce a package of mainly procedural reforms, following recommendations made by a working party under the chairmanship of Lord Justice Neill. On 28 November 1994, he announced that there would be a new summary procedure to provide an inexpensive fast track for the disposal of straightforward claims, and on 14 May 1991 he announced that the defence of innocent dissemination would be extended to printers and others. The reforms will be introduced as soon as there is a suitable legislative opportunity.