Scotsman Archive

Rights of the Press, 19 March, 1949

The right of the Press to attend meetings of certain bodies exercising public functions, which is the subject of a Private Member's Bill now before Parliament, is already enjoyed to some extent in Scotland in accordance with the Local Authorities (Admission of the Press to Meetings) Act, 1808.

That right, except in special circumstances, applies to Local Authorities and has been extended to Regional Hospital Boards and Exective Councils under the National Health Service Act. But apparently it does not cover the Regional Electricity Board meetings. Attendance of the Press at meetings of the regional consultative councils established under the Electricity Act 1947, is at the discretion of those councils.

The measure, entitled the Public Bodies (Admission of Press) Bill, which is presented by Mr V. Grimston (C.Westbury), includes gas and electricity consultative councils, coal consumers' councils, transport users' consultative committees, and food control committees, appointed by Local Authorities.

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