European Convention on Human Rights

HC Deb 16 March 1998 vol 308 cc464-5W

24. Mr. Grieve

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement on the impact that incorporation of the European convention on human rights would have on press regulation and privacy. [32921]

Mr. Chris Smith

The Human Rights Bill will require the Courts to take account of Strasbourg caselaw in determining conflicts between Convention rights, including privacy and freedom of expression. In practice, the Convention has been used in Strasbourg to uphold the freedom of the press. So, in requiring the Courts to take account of Strasbourg caselaw in determining conflicts between Convention rights, the Bill can be expected to strengthen press freedoms. The need for effective press self-regulation, under the Press Complaints Commission, will be as great as it is now.