HL Deb 22 July 1997 vol 581 c153WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe are satisfied that the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights of 27 March 1996 in Goodwin v. UK has been satisfactorily executed by the United Kingdom, and if not, why not.

The Lord Chancellor (Lord Irvine of Lairg)

The judgment is still under consideration by the Committee of Ministers pursuant to Article 54 of the convention.

Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What measures have been taken to secure compliance by the United Kingdom with the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights on 27 March 1996 in Goodwin v. UK, and thereby ensure that Section 10 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 is interpreted and applied in a manner which protects journalists' sources against unnecessary disclosure, in accordance with Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

The Lord Chancellor

The Government do not at present believe that any measures other than the circulation of the judgment are necessary to ensure that Section 10 of the Contempt of Court Act 1981 is interpreted in accordance with Article 10 of the convention.