§ 42. Sir C. Taylorasked the Attorney-General whether he will now direct the Director of Public Prosecutions to institute criminal proceedings against the publishers of the book, details of which have been handed to him by the honourable Member for Eastbourne, in view of the publicity which it has now received.
§ The Attorney-GeneralNo. As I indicated in my Answer to the hon. Member's Question on 11th May, the Director of Public Prosecutions, after consultation with the Law Officers, decided that criminal proceedings should not be instituted. The grounds for this decision are as valid now as they were then.
§ Sir C. TaylorHas the right hon. and learned Gentleman's attention been drawn to Motion No. 119 signed by 35 hon. Members of all parties, which urges that he should change his mind about this?
§ The Attorney-GeneralYes. My attention has been drawn to that Motion, and also to Motion No. 116, to exactly the opposite effect.
§ Sir C. NabarroHow does the right hon. arid learned Gentleman reconcile his Answer today and his earlier Answer with his imputation that the flood of pornography entering the country was the fault of the Tory Party? In his answers to both these questions, is he not himself guilty of moral turpitude?
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. I know that the hon. Gentleman means it lightheartedly, but he should withdraw that at once.
§ Sir G. NabarroI am sorry, Mr. Speaker, if that is unparliamentary, and I will withdraw it unhesitatingly. May I substitute moral indecision—moral in. decision.
§ The Attorney-GeneralWhether I heard the hon. Gentleman's condemnation correctly I confess does not trouble me greatly. Nevertheless, the fact is that the Government and public authorities are taking all active steps that are within the resources of Customs and of police in regard to the flood of pornography, and I do not accept the summary of what I said earlier to be accurately stated by the hon. Gentleman.