HC Deb 05 April 1938 vol 334 c185
39. Mr. Marcus Samuel

asked the Home Secretary upon what terms as to import duty, quota, or the like, the political propagandist literature emanating from the Co-operative Publishing Society of Foreign Workers in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics is permitted to enter this country; and is there at the port of entry any and, if so, what inspection of such literature in order to prevent the landing in this country of printed matter of a seditious, obscene, or otherwise objectionable character?

Mr. Lloyd

The importation of obscene matter is prohibited by the Customs Act. As regards propagandist literature, our law allows, as my hon. Friend knows, a wide liberty for the expression of opinions, but the Customs officers call the attention of the police to any publication coming under their notice which is of such a character that it appears to contravene the law, in order that any necessary action may be taken.

Miss Wilkinson

Has the hon. Gentleman any reason to suppose that obscene literature is proceeding from any other than a German source?