Written question asked by Lord Lexden (Conservative), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Gardiner of Kimble (Conservative) on Tuesday, 7 January 2014.

Royal Charter: Press Regulation

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Gardiner of Kimble on 20 November (WA 219), whether the Royal Charter on Self-Regulation of the Press is a devolved matter in (1) Wales, and (2) Scotland; and, if so, what discussions they have held with the respective administrations of those countries.[HL4101]

Answer

The Royal Charter, which was granted by the Privy Council acting on the advice of UK Government Ministers on 30 October 2013, has been discussed and debated in Parliament eleven times since Easter 2013 and was the result of a cross-party agreement concluded by the leaders of the three main political parties.

Following the vote in the Scottish Parliament on 30 April 2013 agreeing to Scottish participation in the Charter, discussions have been held with the Scottish Government to ensure the Charter properly reflects Scotland’s devolved responsibilities, Scots law and Scottish circumstances.

The Northern Ireland administration has not at this time entered into similar arrangements in relation to the Charter.

The self-regulation of the press in Wales is not a devolved matter. Officials have continued to update officials in all three devolved administrations on progress of the Charter.

Any legal advice received on this issue is subject to legal professional privilege and it is therefore not appropriate to disclose any such advice.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: HL4101; 750 c297WA
Session: 2013-14
Related items: Royal Charter: Press Regulation
Wednesday, 20 November 2013
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects: Devolution Press Scotland Regulation Wales Royal charters
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk

Royal Charter: Press Regulation

Secondary information

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