HC Deb 20 May 1971 vol 817 cc1490-1
1. Mr. Lane

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what response he has received to his circular to local authorities designed to control obscene or indecent advertising of films.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Reginald Maudling)

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Croydon, South (Sir R. Thompson) on 13th May.—[Vol. 817, c. 606.]

Mr. Lane

I am grateful for that reply. Does my right hon. Friend accept that many people inside and outside this House who are neither prudes nor censorship lobbyists think that obscene and indecent displays in public places are becoming a serious menace? Will my right hon. Friend assure us that curbing these displays will be a top priority of the Home Office, in co-operation with local authorities, and that, if necessary, changes in the law will be introduced?

Mr. Maudling

I accept that there is concern about this practice. That is why I issued my circular. However, dealing with obscene or indecent advertising is for the local authorities, and they have the legal power to do it. They are not answerable to me. It is their responsibility. The purpose of my circular was to make clear to the public and to local authorities the powers that local authorities have.

Mr. Kaufman

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that constituents of mine in Manchester are concerned about the subjection of their children to obscene publicity of this kind and to obscene displays in shop windows? Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that the protection of children must be the main consideration in any action that he takes?

Mr. Maudling

I accept that there is a great deal of concern of that kind. But the Question deals with the advertising of films. As I said, this is a matter for the local authorities. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman and his constituents ought to make representations to the local authority.

Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson

In view of the permissive nature of my right hon. Friend's circular, will he say that he will not delay ensuring that local authorities act on it, and that he will back up his circular with stronger implications to local authorities if there appears to be any unwillingness on their part to act?

Mr. Maudling

It would be difficult for me to do that. Where local authorities have legal powers, it is not for me to tell them how to carry them out. That is for the people who elect them.