§ 8. Mr. Hamlingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why customs officials seized two books, Li Yu's Jon Pu Tuan and Amorous Drawings of the Marquis von Bayros, sent to Mr. Roy by the Evergreen Book Club; and why Mr. Roy was sent for by the police and threatened with prosecution, in view of the fact that he was the recipient of a parcel he had not ordered.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesI understand that a package addressed to Mr. Roy was opened by Post Office officials in the course of normal Customs examination 674 of parcels from abroad. The books inside appeared to be prohibited from the post under Section 11(1,b) of the Post Office Act, 1953 and were passed to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who asked the police to make inquiries, as a result of which he decided to take no further action.
§ Mr. HamlingWould my hon. Friend say what literary agency advises Customs officials, in view of the fact that these books are on sale all over London? Would it not help if the Customs officials were to publish a list of prohibited books so that people would not make mistakes of this sort?
§ Mr. ReesThe question of the performance of the Customs is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, who doubtless will take into account what my hon. Friend has said.