§ 33. Mr. H. A. Priceasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what complaints he has received about the existence and activities of an organisation, purporting to exercise censorship over postcards, details of which have been set to him by the hon. Member for Lewisham, West; what action he proposes to take; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RentonMy hon. Friend has been good enough to draw my right hon. Friend's attention to a self-styled British Board of Postcard Censors. This body has no official standing and its certificates have no legal basis or effect.
§ Mr. PriceIf my hon. and learned Friend has seen some of the postcards purporting to have been approved by this body, would he not agree that they are in the main filthy rather than funny? Is it not unfortunate that they should be permitted to carry what appears to be an official stamp of approval?
§ Mr. RentonAlthough I may well set myself up as an arbiter of taste, I cannot express an opinion on a matter of obscenity. The point that I wish to stress is that it is no part of the Government's duty to help the publishers of vulgar postcards to sail as close to the wind as possible.
§ Mr. PriceWill my hon. and learned Friend at least make it clear that these stamps do not carry any immunity from prosecution?
§ Mr. RentonNo immunity whatsoever. Indeed, in respect of some of them bearing this particular stamp there have been successful prosecutions.