§ 18. Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYasked the Home Secretary what steps his Department is taking for preventing the publication and sale of indecent books in this country; and whether he is satisfied that his powers are adequate?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe Home Office in this matter keeps in close touch with the Director of Public Prosecutions and the police authorities, and effective action is being taken wherever possible. I am advised that, speaking generally, the law is reasonably adequate, and the difficulties which arise in enforcing it are due not so much to any defect in the law itself as to differences of opinion in the minds of magistrates as to what in any particular case constitutes punishable indecency within the law.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYCan the right hon. Gentleman give me some idea of how many prosecutions have taken place?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSPerhaps the hon. and gallant Gentleman will put that question on the Paper.
§ Sir JOSEPH NALLDoes this apply to the publication of sordid news in certain Sunday newspapers?
§ Mr. GROTRIANThat question anticipates one which I have on the Paper.
26. The HON. MEMBERasked the Home Secretary what steps his Department takes for preventing the publication of indecent matter in newspapers; to what extent these powers are at present exercised; and whether he is satisfied that such powers are adequate?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe proprietors of newspapers are subject to the general law on the subject of the publication of indecent matter and the law is enforced where the evidence justifies it, but I have no special powers in regard to newspapers. As to the adequacy of the existing law, I will reserve what I have to say for the Debate on the Judicial Proceedings (Regulation of Reports) Bill.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYHave any prosecutions for this offence been instituted since the right hon. Gentleman assumed office?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI think not.