§ Mr. DismoreTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to prevent the(a) import, (b) copying and (c) distribution of videos similar to those produced by GSPC and available in Finsbury Park mosque; [31965]
(2) if he will make a statement about the action he proposes to take in relation to the videos produced by GSPC being distributed at Finsbury Park mosque. [31963]
§ Mr. Blunkett[holding answer 31 January 2002]I have already made it clear that anyone breaking the law and inciting violence, whether under the provisions of the Terrorism Act, Race Relations Act or the Public Order Act will be prosecuted. Importation of obscene material is an offence under section 42 of the Customs Consolidation Act 1876. The Obscene Publications Act 1959 makes it a criminal offence to publish any article (including videos) which is considered to be obscene.
In the first instance it is the responsibility of the police to decide whether there are sufficient grounds to launch a criminal investigation and that of the Crown Prosecution Service to decide whether there is sufficient evidence to bring a prosecution. The Metropolitan police are investigating the content and sale of these videos and are discussing with the Crown Prosecuting Service to determine whether prosecutions are possible.