Qualifying Bodies

Part of Clause 12 – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 8 July 1976.

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Photo of Sir Ronald Bell Sir Ronald Bell , Beaconsfield 12:00, 8 July 1976

Perhaps I can help my hon. Friend the Member for Chingford (Mr. Tebbit). I am happy to do so. He has raised the question of the man not knowing. The Home Secretary, in his interesting but misleading speech, directed our attention to Clause 32(3), which says: In proceedings brought under this Act against any person in respect of an act alleged to have been done by an employee of his it shall be a defence for that person to prove that he took such steps. and so on. Of course, that is in proceedings brought under the Bill against any person. It has nothing to do with subsection (2), which is what we are dealing with, which has imputations on a man's character. In relation to what we are talking about on this amendment, the man is damaged by things, of which he did not know, done by an employee or agent.