This is an important matter in both constitutional and legal terms, and I am pleased that my hon. Friend the Member for Oxford, West and Abingdon (Dr. Harris) secured this timely debate. We have always known, and been proud of the fact, that we have the right to speak our...

This is an important matter in both constitutional and legal terms, and I am pleased that my hon. Friend the Member for Oxford, West and Abingdon (Dr. Harris) secured this timely debate. We have always known, and been proud of the fact, that we have the right to speak our...

I am very grateful to my hon. Friend the Member for Aldershot (Mr. Howarth) for enabling me to have a brief shot at this debate. Article 9 of the Bill of Rights was not a matter of light spluttering on our constitution. It followed on a century when the authority...

I am very grateful to my hon. Friend the Member for Aldershot (Mr. Howarth) for enabling me to have a brief shot at this debate. Article 9 of the Bill of Rights was not a matter of light spluttering on our constitution. It followed on a century when the authority...

My hon. Friend makes an extremely good point and I am happy to sit down now. I hope that I have made my point and that the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme will take it in the spirit in which I have made it. I shall certainly have a look at...

My hon. Friend makes an extremely good point and I am happy to sit down now. I hope that I have made my point and that the hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme will take it in the spirit in which I have made it. I shall certainly have a look at...

It is an impertinent intervention, but there are only four minutes left for Back Benchers to speak in the debate. I should be very grateful.

It is an impertinent intervention, but there are only four minutes left for Back Benchers to speak in the debate. I should be very grateful.

No, I have not read the comments of the Lord Chief Justice, and will happily do so, in order that I may be better informed. However, there has always been a perhaps uneasy relationship between the legislature and the judiciary and it seems to me that this is one area...

No, I have not read the comments of the Lord Chief Justice, and will happily do so, in order that I may be better informed. However, there has always been a perhaps uneasy relationship between the legislature and the judiciary and it seems to me that this is one area...

Clearly, from what has happened this week, it is not only Parliament that shares these concerns, but the Lord Chief Justice, the most senior judge in the land. Has the hon. Gentleman read his comments of yesterday—it is very rare that the Lord Chief Justice issues a press release—on super-injunctions?...

Clearly, from what has happened this week, it is not only Parliament that shares these concerns, but the Lord Chief Justice, the most senior judge in the land. Has the hon. Gentleman read his comments of yesterday—it is very rare that the Lord Chief Justice issues a press release—on super-injunctions?...

As I understand it, the substantive proceeding had not been set down. The hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme mentioned the costs—£300,000, I think—of going to a substantive hearing. That is clearly a huge amount of money and I am bound to say, making a political point, that I recognise that The...

As I understand it, the substantive proceeding had not been set down. The hon. Member for Newcastle-under-Lyme mentioned the costs—£300,000, I think—of going to a substantive hearing. That is clearly a huge amount of money and I am bound to say, making a political point, that I recognise that The...

Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

First, I must declare an interest as a barrister. I congratulate the hon. Member for Oxford, West and Abingdon (Dr. Harris) on securing this debate. He has been proactive on this issue over a number of years and many hon. Members admire his effort and tenacity. My hon. Friend the...

First, I must declare an interest as a barrister. I congratulate the hon. Member for Oxford, West and Abingdon (Dr. Harris) on securing this debate. He has been proactive on this issue over a number of years and many hon. Members admire his effort and tenacity. My hon. Friend the...

I am going to come to some of the things that need to happen in future. The sub judice rule is an expression of the ability of the House to restrain Members who, in exercising the absolute privilege of freedom of speech, might offend the House. It also protects the...

I am going to come to some of the things that need to happen in future. The sub judice rule is an expression of the ability of the House to restrain Members who, in exercising the absolute privilege of freedom of speech, might offend the House. It also protects the...

I will be quick because I think the Minister is about to move on. What she says is helpful, but it is not a cure for the problem, unless she envisages that this debate and her remarks will be read by every lawyer and, indeed, every judge. Will she or...

I will be quick because I think the Minister is about to move on. What she says is helpful, but it is not a cure for the problem, unless she envisages that this debate and her remarks will be read by every lawyer and, indeed, every judge. Will she or...

It is most certainly my view that the advice given by both—no doubt eminent—lawyers was incorrect. I am happy to ensure that we send them a copy of article 9, so that they can read and peruse it at their leisure.

It is most certainly my view that the advice given by both—no doubt eminent—lawyers was incorrect. I am happy to ensure that we send them a copy of article 9, so that they can read and peruse it at their leisure.

I do not think that this is a libel case. Does my hon. Friend agree that it would be helpful if Trafigura spelled out what was the subsequent court action for which the injunction and super-injunction were contemplated?

I do not think that this is a libel case. Does my hon. Friend agree that it would be helpful if Trafigura spelled out what was the subsequent court action for which the injunction and super-injunction were contemplated?

My hon. Friend has made his point very well. In my two remaining minutes, I wish to say a little about parliamentary sovereignty. Can Parliament ever be gagged or muzzled? The answer, manifestly, is no. Parliamentary privilege is one of the cornerstones of our ancient democracy. It is a vital...

My hon. Friend has made his point very well. In my two remaining minutes, I wish to say a little about parliamentary sovereignty. Can Parliament ever be gagged or muzzled? The answer, manifestly, is no. Parliamentary privilege is one of the cornerstones of our ancient democracy. It is a vital...

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his remarks. I urge him and other hon. Members to think carefully about whether we should pick on super-injunctions as the particular problem. If the purpose of the injunction is to protect confidentiality or to prevent libel, and the reporting of that...

I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his remarks. I urge him and other hon. Members to think carefully about whether we should pick on super-injunctions as the particular problem. If the purpose of the injunction is to protect confidentiality or to prevent libel, and the reporting of that...

I quite agree. That could be the subject of a debate lasting many hours. The Culture, Media and Sport Committee will consider the matter. I did not touch on it because I wanted to cover super-injunctions, which have been discussed by a number of hon. Members. I would like the...

I quite agree. That could be the subject of a debate lasting many hours. The Culture, Media and Sport Committee will consider the matter. I did not touch on it because I wanted to cover super-injunctions, which have been discussed by a number of hon. Members. I would like the...

I was just about to come to article 9 of the Bill of Rights. I am astonished that lawyers around the country are not aware that there is a difference between article 9 and the European convention, and so on. However, perhaps this will be an opportunity for them to...

I was just about to come to article 9 of the Bill of Rights. I am astonished that lawyers around the country are not aware that there is a difference between article 9 and the European convention, and so on. However, perhaps this will be an opportunity for them to...

Is it the Minister's view that the advice given by Carter-Ruck and by the in-house lawyer of The Guardian was incorrect?

Is it the Minister's view that the advice given by Carter-Ruck and by the in-house lawyer of The Guardian was incorrect?

I will do my best to be robust and brave, but I accept the view of the hon. Member for North-West Norfolk (Mr. Bellingham) that I will not be able to solve the libel laws in the next 10 minutes. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Justice...

I will do my best to be robust and brave, but I accept the view of the hon. Member for North-West Norfolk (Mr. Bellingham) that I will not be able to solve the libel laws in the next 10 minutes. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Justice...