HC Deb 11 July 2000 vol 353 c538W
Mr. Gareth Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the operation of the law of defamation as it relates to the liability of internet service providers. [129407]

Mr. Lock

I have been asked to reply.

A consultation paper on perceived abuses of defamation procedures is currently being prepared by my Department. This will be issued within the next few weeks. It will cover, among other things, defamation on the internet and the subsequent liability of internet service providers.

Mr. Gareth Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consultation he has held with internet service providers on the law of defamation. [129406]

Mr. Lock

I have been asked to reply.

No formal consultation has yet been held. However, my Department will shortly be issuing a consultation paper on perceived abuses of defamation procedures which will cover the issue of defamation on the internet. Comments will be invited from the Internet Service Providers Association.