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Proceeding contribution from Andrew Dismore (Labour) in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 16 May 2007. It occurred during Debate on bill on Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Bill.


Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Bill

I agree with what the hon. Member for Beaconsfield (Mr. Grieve) has just said. It is difficult to envisage fines much higher than the £4 million levied in relation to the Ladbroke Grove train crash, although that should be contrasted with the £5 million that West Ham had to pay over unregistered players. That shows that victims’ families will still face a degree of injustice when they seek reparation for an incident. That is important, because the media operations surrounding such convictions have become increasingly professional in their attempt to downplay or minimise what happened. If a court order can be used to get around a company’s PR machine, that is very welcome. However, I shall go further than the hon. Member for Beaconsfield, as I hope that the judges who issue the orders will be a little more imaginative too. They should do more than require newspaper advertisements to be taken out. In big incidents that receive worldwide television publicity, they should ensure that the ensuing apology and conviction are also the subject of a TV advertisement. Regardless of the adverse publicity that would be incurred, that could be quite expensive for the organisation that has to pay the bill. I therefore hope that my hon. Friend the Minister will confirm that publicity orders cover a much wider range of media than merely newspapers.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
460 c704 
Session
2006-07
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Care homes Accountability Charities Death Directors Criminal law Crown immunity Delegated legislation Corporate manslaughter Legislative process Liability Health and safety Employers' associations NHS Police Prosecutions Prisons Police custody Publicity Partnerships Psychiatric hospitals Schools Trade unions Reviews Suicide HM Prison Service Detention centres Secure training centres Academies Prisons and Probation Ombudsman Young offender institutions National School of Government
Legislation
Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Bill 2005-06 to 2006-07
Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk