4.
The element of the Bill that is somewhat different from the classic traditions of parliamentary lew is that instead of this Council claining power to punish for breaches of privilege, that question is to be handed over to the Courts. In other words the Bill makes the concession, and rightly 80, that this Council should never act as judge in its own cause.
I do not propose to speak separately on all the points and amendments which have been put forward by Members today. Their proposals have been made after serious And prolonged deliberation and consultation and they will therefore be contained in
of the text
be Bill which will published in the gazette at the end of this week for general information.
an
Amended
full
Nevertheless although I am not going to speak
about all the proposals I should like to add to
what Members have already said on some
clauses within the Bill.
of Many
the concerns
the about
Bill,
the Press have focussed on particularly those of clause 20 which deals with defamatory and unauthorised publications. The Clause represente an attempt to impose limits on the exercise of the right to subject tháp Council, its members or proceedings to scurilous abuse or malicious attacks or to disclose in a public way what has been done and discussed in confidence.
ite
That
In the context of accepted parliamentary law, it is a breach of the privilege of a legislature to subject it
contempt. proceedings to protection is necessary
necessary for the functioning of any body of the nature of this Council. If, that is not
that agreed, bluntly that there is no limit to what might be said.
then the
becomes argument
one
says