§ Charles HendryTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will proscribe websites which promote suicide; [161078]
(2) what discussions he has had with internet service providers concerning suicide websites and chatrooms. [161079]
§ Paul GogginsWe understand the concern that has been expressed about such websites.
Where they are hosted in the UK, those producing them may be committing an offence under section 2(1) of the Suicide Act 1961, which makes it an offence to aid, abet, counsel or procure another to commit suicide, or attempt to do so and be liable to prosecution. However the courts have held that simply providing information about committing suicide does not necessarily constitute such an offence.
More generally, we are in the process of opening up discussion internationally on wider issues of illegal content on the internet. In addition, as part of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy for England, the Department of Health is working to promote the responsible representation of suicidal behaviour in the media. More generally, we are in the process of opening up discussion internationally on wider issues of illegal content on the internet. In addition, as part of the National Suicide Prevention Strategy for England, the Department of Health is working to promote the responsible representation of suicidal behaviour in the media.