§ 37. Mr. J. Hyndasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to protect young children from being presented with obscene photographs as prizes for children's games at fun fairs.
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithIf the photographs come within the present legal definition of obscenity, action can be taken under the existing law. If they do not, I can only say that any attempt to extend the definition would be difficult and controversial.
§ Mr. HyndI should have imagined that the hon. Lady would be aware that these photographs have been sent to her right hon. Friend. The Question has been put because I want to know whether or not action can be taken under existing law, and if not, whether some action will be taken to amend the law because of the fact that these photographs are not just obscene photographs, but are presented to young children under the guise of children's toys in a packet designed for that purpose. Will the Minister look into this question, which is causing great consternation, because these photographs are being distributed wholesale to children in Southend?
§ Miss Hornsby-SmithWe will certainly look into the point made by the hon. Gentleman, but I think he will appreciate the difficulty of classifying nude portraits or photographs as automatically obscene.