Children's Comics

HC Deb 21 October 1954 vol 531 cc1376-8

44. Mr. Rankin

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been directed to the nature of the contents of the American children's comics which are now being sold in this country; if he is aware that these periodicals have a demoralising effect on the minds of children, because they help to spread illiteracy and encourage sadistic practices; and if he will now take the necessary steps to prevent their circulation among children in the interests of sound education.

49. Dr. Stross

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take steps to forbid the printing of children's comics from imported plates.

52. Mr. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received in the last few months, and from whom, expressing concern at the continued publication of horror comics; and whether he will consider further legislation to control their publication or importation, in view of the anxiety of teachers and parents about the effects of these publications on the young.

53. Mr. Orbach

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to the harm done to children by the distribution and publication of horrific comics; and, in view of the general condemnation, if he is now prepared to take steps to bring to an end the distribution of these papers.

Major Lloyd George

I am aware of the public concern about this matter, to which I am giving very careful consideration.

Mr. Rankin

Is the Minister aware of the widespread condemnation of this type of children's periodical? When he looks into the matter will he consider whether, in view of the vicious nature of these products, their entry should be banned entirely from this country? If that is quite impossible, will he try to find a definition of the word "obscenity" which will bring them within the compass of the law?

Major Lloyd George

The hon. Member will appreciate, I think, that the definition required in the latter part of his question is not an easy matter. Nor is it an easy matter to differentiate between what is objectionable and what is not objectionable. While some of these publications are certainly better not read by children in this country, others are quite unobjectionable, and the difficulty, therefore, is to decide between the two. But I am looking into the matter very carefully and I will do all I can.

Dr. Stross

Will the Minister bear in mind that newsagents throughout the country, and certainly all of them in North Staffordshire who wrote to my colleague and myself the other day, are very anxious that he should take some action, because they do not want to handle this rather beastly material? They look to him to give them assistance.

Major Lloyd George

I am sure that the hon. Member appreciates that they also have some responsibility in the matter. If they feel that they do not want to handle the material, I should have thought that the best thing was for them not to handle it. There is also the question of the responsibility of parents and teachers. Regardless of all that, however, I am looking at the matter and, while I know the difficulties, I will do my best to cope with them.

Mr. Janner

Would the Minister be good enough to answer the first part of my Question? As this matter has been brought to the notice of his Department for a very long time, will he see that something practical is done and not allow it to continue for a further long period?

Major Lloyd George

I have done my best to assure the House that I will do everything I can. The only representation of which I know personally is that I should receive a deputation in the near future from the Archbishop of Canterbury, as Chairman of the Church of England Council for Education. I shall receive that deputation very shortly.

Mr. Gaitskell

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that there is widespread concern about this matter throughout the country? Will he give it urgent consideration? We appreciate that he has not yet had very much time to consider it but perhaps he could present a report to the House before Christmas.

Major Lloyd George

I will certainly do my best. I share the concern of everyone in the House and the country. I have seen some of these things, as have other hon. Members, and there is no doubt at all that some action is necessary.

Mr. Fell

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that action has already been taken in America which should in a short time lead to the material no longer being available in this country for these horror comics? Is he also aware of the rather peculiar coincidence of this present campaign against horror comics —the coincidence of this campaign with the launching of two new children's newspapers in this country by the "Daily Express" and the "Daily Mirror"?