§ 31. Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take steps, by legislation or otherwise, to restrict shop window displays of pornographic books and magazines.
§ Mr. CarlisleLegislation already in force prohibits the publication of obscene articles and the public exhibition of indecent material.
§ Mr. McNair-WilsonMy hon. Friend goes on concentrating on this act of obscenity, whereas we are discussing matters which disgust and shock thousands of people who have to walk past these shops. The Swedes, who seem to take a much more enlightened view than our Home Office, have a law which prevents these displays and insists on the one word "Porno" being shown over these shops. Could not we do something similar?
§ Mr. CarlisleFrom the various other Questions and answers that we have had today, clearly this is a serious matter, and it is difficult to decide what is best to be done. We have the Obscene Publications Act. We have also the Indecent Advertisements Act, 1899, which is still in force. As for cinema advertisements, which is one of the matters worrying my hon. Friend, as I told him on another occasion, the licensing authorities have power to impose conditions, including those to prohibit the display of advertisements likely to offend good taste or decency, to lead to crime or disorder, or to offend public feeling.