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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 they will place in the Library of the House the legal advice they have received regarding the operation of the Royal Charter on Self-Regulation of the Press in the devolved administrations.[HL4102]

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
HL4102; 750 c297WA
Session
2013-14
Related items
Royal Charter: Press Regulation
Wednesday, 20 November 2013
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects
Devolution Press Regulation Royal charters
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk