Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

The purpose of this amendment is to make clear that where A sends a letter to B, which is read by A's typist, and B's secretary, there is no publication in law, unless there is a special injury, for example, if B's secretary is also B's wife and the letter makes a defamatory allegation against B. If, for example, one wrote to a county manager, criticising him one should be sure one was not in jeopardy of being accused of defamation. One should be free to allow for the fact that his or her secretary will open his or her post. This is a necessary provision.