| Previous Section | Back to Table of Contents | Lords Hansard Home Page |
Baroness Thomas of Walliswood: My Lords, I am delighted to have heard about the letter, and look forward to hearing the Minister's response.
Lord Henley: My Lords, before I respond to the detailed points made by the noble Lord, since he devoted some of his time to teasing me, I wonder whether I may ask him whether he drafted Amendment No. 41. I was looking at the side heading on the Marshalled List which states:
- "Disciplinary proceedings: right of child to anonimity".
I wonder whether he has any comments about the spelling of "anonymity", and, if so, whether he would like to pass them to the appropriate authorities. I am sure that that was a mere slip: even Homer nods, and even the noble Lord on occasions.
The noble Lord mentioned the letter. I am sorry that he received it only this morning. I cannot remember when I signed it but, as he said I have signed a number of letters. I wrote indicating my conclusion that we lack time to produce a properly considered and effective clause within the Bill on what is a difficult subject. As I think I pointed out in Committee, it would be one involving discussion with a vast array of different departments. It would involve European Convention on Human Rights issues. That is why I said that we propose that the department prepares a consultation paper for issue later this year on what are tricky issues and possible legislative solutions.
One possible way forward, for example, would be to focus solely on protecting those pupils involved in exclusion procedures, as those pupils form an easily identifiable group for the purposes of legal definition, and the media are unlikely to be much interested in other pupils whose behaviour has warranted lesser sanctions. That approach might be a way around the problem, but I raised the matter in Committee in relation to the scope of the amendment. The term "disciplinary proceedings" is too wide, and I think the noble Lord accepts that.
As regards enforcing the prohibition, that is another problem that was raised in Committee. One possible option would be to create a new criminal offence, but given the sensitivities involved in restricting press freedom in such a way, that is something that would not be appropriate for us to discuss at this hour, at this stage of a Parliament, on this Bill.
Perhaps I may say again to the noble Lord that I am grateful to him, even with the failures in his spelling, for raising this issue again. I hope with the assurance of further action by the Government following the election, he will be prepared to withdraw the amendment.
Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton: My Lords, before the Minister sits down, I wonder whether he could promise by the morning those of us who have had fewer letters a note on the subject of the quotation.
Lord Henley: My Lords, I shall consider that point in due course and respond to the noble Baroness if I think it appropriate.
Lord Morris of Castle Morris: My Lords, if I could offer the Minister just the slightest hint as to the author of that quotation, it might not be too difficult for him to find an official who could look it up and give him the correct answer.
I hear what the Minister says about the way ahead. I am convinced. I am grateful. I am satisfied. I beg leave to withdraw the amendment.
Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
- House adjourned at one minute before ten o'clock.
| Next Section | Back to Table of Contents | Lords Hansard Home Page |