HC Deb 29 June 1967 vol 749 cc740-1
50. Mr. Archer

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to give effect to the recommendations of the Select Committee on Stage Censorship.

Miss Bacon

My right hon. Friend is considering this valuable Report, but he is not yet in a position to announce the Government's intentions.

Mr. Archer

Without asking my right hon. Friend to commit herself in advance on the merits, may I ask whether she does not agree that the present system serves merely to protect institutions, some of which do not require it while others do not deserve it?

Miss Bacon

There are various points of view about this and I ask my hon. Friend to wait until my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has studied the whole matter and, if possible, has come forward with recommendations.

Mr. Strauss

Will my right hon. Friend ask the Home Secretary to bear in mind that this was a unanimous report from a Committee representing people of all parties in both Houses?

Miss Bacon

Yes, Sir. I will certainly draw my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary's attention to that but, as my right hon. Friend the Member for Vauxhall (Mr. Strauss) knows, our right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has a particular interest in this matter, so I am sure that he will have noted this aspect already.