Press Regulation

Part of Oral Answers to Questions — Prime Minister – in the House of Commons at 12:33 pm on 13 February 2013.

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Photo of Chris Bryant Chris Bryant Shadow Minister (Home Affairs) 12:33, 13 February 2013

I draw Members’ attention to my entry in the Register of Members’ Financial Interests. The real problem with the royal charter process is that it is the most autocratic tool in any Government’s weaponry, because it is easily changed at will by a Government, and no Government can bind their successors unless that is underpinned by statute. Will most people not think that this is a pretty shabby deal between the Government and proprietors, as the Government promised last year that they would publish the details of all meetings with proprietors by Cabinet Ministers, but they have not done so since last June? Must they not publish before tomorrow’s meeting the details of all their meetings with proprietors?