Privacy and Injunctions: Joint Committee

Lord Strathclyde Excerpts

Monday 27th June 2011 Lords Chamber

Moved By

[Lord Strathclyde]

That it is expedient that a joint committee of Lords and Commons be appointed to consider privacy and injunctions, including:

(1) how the statutory and common law on privacy and the use of anonymity injunctions and super-injunctions has operated in practice;

(2) how best to strike the balance between privacy and freedom of expression, in particular how best to determine whether there is a public interest in material concerning people’s private and family life;

(3) issues relating to the enforcement of anonymity injunctions and super-injunctions, including the internet, cross-border jurisdiction within the United Kingdom, parliamentary privilege and the rule of law; and

(4) issues relating to media regulation in this context, including the role of the Press Complaints Commission and the Office of Communications (OFCOM);

and that the committee should report by 29 February 2012.

[The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Lord Strathclyde)]

My Lords, I beg to move the first Motion standing in my name on the Order Paper.

[Lord Taylor of Blackburn]

My Lords, under the terms of reference which the Leader of the House has suggested in the paper before us, will the committee take into consideration the matters of entrapment and false representation?

[Lord Lucas]

My Lords, perhaps I may also ask my noble friend how this committee is to be chosen and, particularly in view of this afternoon’s debate, what opportunities will be made available for Back-Benchers who wish to be members of this committee to put themselves forward?

[Lord Strathclyde]

My Lords, on the question from the noble Lord, Lord Taylor, the terms of reference are wide and varied. I suggest that the best way for him to make his views known is to write to the chairman with his submission once the committee has been set up. As for my noble friend’s question, the members of the Joint Committee will be chosen in the normal way. The matter will then, of course, be brought to the House, where every name will have to be agreed.

Motion agreed, and a message was sent to the Commons.