Written question asked by Lord Lester of Herne Hill (Liberal Democrat), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Bach (Labour) on Monday, 5 October 2009.

Incitement to Disaffection

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will introduce legislation to repeal section 3 of the Aliens Restriction (Amendment) Act 1919, which created an offence of causing or attempting to cause sedition or disaffection.

Answer: As I indicated during debate at Lords Committee stage of the Coroners and Justice Bill (Official Report, 9/7/09, col. 850), the Government intend to bring forward amendments at Report to abolish the common law offences of sedition and seditious libel. We have considered whether, as a consequence of that decision, the immediate repeal without replacement of the offences under the Incitement to Disaffection Act 1934 and section 3 of the Aliens Restriction (Amendment) Act 1919 could also be justified. But we need to consider more fully than the Bill timetable will allow whether the abolition of those offences would leave a gap in the law.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 712 c399WA; 5234
Session: 2008-09
Related items: Coroners and Justice Bill
Thursday, 9 July 2009
Parliamentary proceedings
House of Lords
Notes: Answer received between Monday 27 July and Monday 3 August 2009.
Legislation: Aliens Restriction (Amendment) Act 1919
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk