Oral Answers to Questions

Robert Buckland Excerpts

Thursday 22nd November 2012 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State for Culture Olympics, Media and Sport was asked—

[Mr Robert Buckland (South Swindon) (Con)]

1. When she expects the Leveson report to be published.

[The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Maria Miller)]

I expect Lord Justice Leveson to deliver his report by the end of the month. The inquiry team will make an announcement about specific times later this morning.

[Mr Buckland]

If the Leveson inquiry recommends an end to the current system of press regulation, will the Government rise to the challenge and help to create a system that will quickly gain the trust of the public?

[Maria Miller]

My hon. Friend is right to identify trust as an overwhelming prerequisite for any solution to our problems involving the press. Certainly the status quo is not an option. The principles that will drive any solution are the need for an independent regulator, the need for tough regulation, and the need to do everything possible to preserve free speech.