HC Deb 24 May 1900 vol 83 cc1111-2
MR. H. C. RICHARDS

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General what steps he proposes to take to prevent the continued distribution of objectionable papers among Members of the House by the National Vigilance Association or any other public body.

MR. SAMUEL SMITH (Flintshire)

May I ask whether the hon. Gentleman is aware that there is an immense circulation of these vile papers among children, some of them being sold at the railway bookstalls; whether the police have done anything to suppress them; and if not, whether he will direct the Public Prosecutor to take action in the matter.

SIR ROBERT FINLAY

In answer to my hon. friend I have to say that I do not think anything would be gained by taking such steps as he suggests. As regards the question of the hon. Member for Flintshire, I am not aware as to the extent of the circulation of such papers among children. The Public Prosecutor will be prepared to prosecute in any case of the kind in which it appears to be proper that there should be a prosecution and in which a conviction may be reasonably expected. It is necessary to bear in mind, however, that a good deal of harm may be done by legal proceedings in such cases, in consequence of the publicity given to the papers in question.

MR. H. C. RICHARDS

I wish to know whether the Attorney General will take steps to prevent the repetition of this proceeding if it is done by any Member of the House.

SIR ROBERT FINLAY

I have no power to take any such steps.