Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the provisions of the Code of the Press Complaints Commission on harassment and privacy; and if he will seek a strengthening of the provisions of the Code in those respects. [14949]

Mr Vaizey MP, Minister of State, DCMS: The Editors Code of Practice, overseen by the Press Complaints Commission, sets out how the press regulates itself. It is a self-regulatory mechanism, and while the Government might suggest a particular change if they considered one necessary, they could certainly not impose one. We have no plans for suggesting any changes.

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport if he will assess the adequacy of arrangements for regulation of the press. [14951]

Mr Vaizey: The Government strongly support self-regulation of the press. We monitor informally how the arrangements are working, and give careful consideration to the results of regular parliamentary scrutiny from, for example, the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, but have no plans to carry out a formal review.

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport what guidance his Department has given to the Press Complaints Commission on the definition of the public interest. [14953]

Mr Vaizey: The Press Complaints Commission is independent from Government. We have given no guidance on how it should define the public interest.