§ 35 and 36. Mr. D. Howellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) what arrangements exist for the censorship of literary works being imported into this country; what standards are laid down for the guidance of those responsible; who are the personnel engaged upon these duties; what is the cost to the Exchequer of these activities; and how many works have been prevented from entering the country over the last convenient period;
(2) in what circumstances two volumes of novels by Jean Genet have been prevented from entering the country by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise authorities; and if he will now facilitate their dispatch to the City of Birmingham Reference Library who are the purchasers.
§ Mr. PowellI am afraid the Answer is necessarily somewhat lengthy.
The importation into the United Kingdom of indecent or obscene books is prohibited by the Customs Consolidation Act, 1876, and the Commissioners of Customs and Excise are responsible for enforcement. Where books are seized under this provision, the importer may, within one month, claim that they are not liable to forfeiture; and if such a claim is made, the Commissioners must have the issue determined by a court. In administering the prohibition, the Commissioners have regard to past decisions and pronouncements of the courts. In the case to which the hon. Member refers, the importer was advised of his legal right but made no claim.
The cost of enforcement to the Exchequer cannot be estimated since it is part of the general duties of the Customs staff.
In 1955, 425 books and 402 magazines were seized.
§ Mr. HowellIs it not farcical that these two books are readily available to French-speaking scholars in both the British Museum and the library of Reading University? Why should the French-speaking public of Birmingham be prevented from reading in the Birmingham Reference Library works which appear in those other places? Is it not time that this whole archaic business was reviewed by the Government, and the public treated as adults capable of censuring their literary work? Should not the Government review the whole matter in the light of twentieth century practice?
§ Mr. PowellIf the importer of these books had shared the view of the hon. Member, he would have exercised his rights, of which he was informed, of making a claim and taking the matter to court.
§ Mr. HowellIt may still be possible for the Birmingham City Council to exercise these rights. It ordered these books after a review in The Times. Why should the City of Birmingham Reference Library, following a review of a good character in The Times, be thwarted in this manner by the Treasury?
§ Mr. PowellIf the City of Birmingham wishes to test this matter, the Commissioners of Customs and Excise will be glad to arrange for importation for that purpose, so that it can be referred to the courts.
§ Mr. HowellOn a point of order. In view of the principle—[An HON. MEMBER: "Put a copy in the Library."] —and the very weak Answer which we have just had, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter at the earliest possible opportunity.