Parliament: The House In Brief

Glitter case leads to reform

MEDIA PAYMENTS to witnesses in criminal cases will be outlawed once the Government finds time to bring in the necessary legislation, Lord Irvine of Lairg, the Lord Chancellor promised.

Lord Irvine cited the case of Gary Glitter, in which the disgraced pop star was acquitted of child sex abuse charges after it emerged that the main prosecution witness, Allison Brown, stood to make pounds 25,000 from the News of the World if Glitter was convicted.

Lords delay

THE PROPOSED body to recommend candidates for life peerages and to vet nominations may not be set up in time for the New Year's Honours, the Leader of the Lords, Baroness Jay of Paddington, said. Lord Wakeham, chairman of the inquiry on Lords reform, had asked for the process to be delayed until his report is published.

Today's agenda

Commons, 9.30am: Debate on government support for the arts; short backbench debate on the future of Maldon port.