§ 51. Mr. Rostasked the Attorney-General if he will refer to the Director of Public Prosecutions the business activities in the United Kingdom of Concorde Trading, Amsterdam, Holland, with a view to prosecution under the Obscene Publications Act.
§ The Attorney-GeneralThe Director of Public Prosecutions has been aware of the activities of this concern since April of this year. Police inquiries have not so far established that the concern has any agents, or place of business, in the United Kingdom. In these circumstances, it has not been possible to institute any criminal proceedings.
§ Mr. RostI accept that answer, but is not this a direct way to get round the legislation—by using an address in Holland and claiming to be the largest importer of pornographic literature in the 26 world, in order to send material to people in this country on the mail order system, thus enabling these products to be imported? Either pornography is illegal or it is legal. We cannot have this sort of thing going on. Will my right hon. and learned Friend look at the matter again?
§ The Attorney-GeneralMy hon. Friend has correctly described what happens. This particular firm, with an address outside the jurisdiction, somehow obtains mail order lists and mails this material to people, completely unsolicited. I agree that it is wholly undesirable, but it is difficult to intercept such letters. If they could be intercepted, there might be offences under the Post Office Acts, and I assure my hon. Friend that, if this came to light, prosecutions would follow.