HC Deb 02 December 1912 vol 44 cc1855-7
20. MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINE

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether steps have been taken to prohibit the sale of a pamphlet by the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies to which his attention has been drawn?

The UNDER-SECRETARY for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Ellis Griffith)

The Secretary of State is advised that the institution of proceedings would not be warranted in the case of this book.

MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINE

Does the Home Secretary's Department consider that the pamphlet is a decent one, and is there no means of preventing pamphlets of this nature, in which disgusting details are told, from getting into the hands of young girls?

Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITH

The Secretary of State has no power to suppress a pamphlet of this kind. The only power open to the Secretary of State is to institute a prosecution on the ground that the pamphlet is indecent or obscene. I am advised that a prosecution on these lines would not be successful.

Mr. SNOWDEN

Does the Home Office accept the statement made in the supplemental question just now that this pamphlet is full of disgusting details and not fit to get into the hands of young persons?

Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITH

The only question we have to consider is whether it is indecent or obscene, and our opinion is that a prosecution founded on either of those assumptions would not be successful.

Mr. SNOWDEN

You think that the pamphlet is neither indecent nor obscene?

Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITH

We are advised that if a prosecution were instituted it would not be successful.

MARQUESS Of TULLIBARDINE

Is the pamphlet to be circulated in the schools of the country?

Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITH

Do I understand the Noble Lord to advise this step?

MARQUESS of TULLIBARDINE

Certainly not.

Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITH

That matter has not been before us, and I do not think it necessary or advisable to do so.

Lord ROBERT CECIL

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that this is a pamphlet written by a very highly respected doctor in Brighton, and written in perfect good faith, to warn persons of the consequences of a certain act?

Mr. ROBERT HARCOURT

By whom has the Department been advised I Is it by its legal advisers?

Mr. ELLIS GRIFFITH

In answer to the Noble Lord, I think that represents my individual opinion. In answer to the hon. Member, we were advised by those who legally advise us.