HC Deb 05 March 1964 vol 690 cc1504-6
17. Mr. Longden

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the increase in the traffic of pornographic material; and what steps he is taking, and proposes to take, to counteract it.

Mr. Brooke

Yes, Sir. Apart from books for which some literary merit may be claimed, there is a large traffic in pornographic material of no literary merit whatever. Those responsible for enforcing the existing laws have been active in suppressing this traffic, as evidenced by the facts and figures given by my hon. Friend, the Joint Under-Secretary of State, in his reply to the Adjournment Debate on 3rd December. Decisions of the courts have, however, revealed defects in the Dowers under the Obscene Publications Act 1959, to deal with this type of pornography, and I am considering what amendment of the law may be required.

Mr. Longden

While thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him if he accepts that it is the duty of Parliament to take effective steps to protect young people from this traffic?

Mr. Brooke

I am quite certain that it is the duty of the Home Secretary to see that the law is adequate to protect young people, and, indeed, people of all sorts, who may be corrupted by this kind of filth.

Mr. Bellenger

Although I am glad to hear the last remarks of the right hon. Gentleman and to learn that he is considering taking steps to amend the 1959 Act, may I ask whether he realises, in view of the recent prosecution by the Director of Public Prosecutions, that it seems that the law acts in an isolated manner? If it is bad in one instance surely it is bad in another and does he not agree, therefore, that those who try to sell this obscene literature should be prosecuted?

Mr. Brooke

Without going into the question of Fanny Hill and Lady Chatterley, the point I am seeking to make is that there is a great mass of pornographic literature which cannot conceivably be held to be in the interests of science or literature, and I intend to deal with that.

Miss Quennell

When my right hon. Friend's committee considers the problem, will it please also bear in mind the fact that the laws we eventually want to see should not have such a confused and illogical character as they at present betray?

Mr. Brooke

I do not think that I would wish to pass general strictures on the 1959 Act, which started as a Private Member's Bill. My concern is to close certain loopholes which have undoubtedly been shown up by decisions of the courts under that Act.

Mr. Fletcher

Is the Home Secretary aware that we all welcome his assurance that he is determined to stop this vast mass of pornographic literature that has no claim at all to literary merit? Is it correct that the quantities of imported literature seized by the Customs and by the police has now reached such alarming proportions that there is not enough warehouse space to accommodate it, and is he taking steps either to build more warehouses or to start some bonfires to deal with it?

Mr. Brooke

I would not say that the proportions that have been reached are so immense as to be alarming in the sense that the stuff cannot be stored, but I do think that it is alarming in relation to the harm it may do to people in this country, who may be corrupted by it. That is why I intend to deal with it.