§ 16. Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what quantity of magazines and films were confiscated by the Obscene Publications Squad in the 12 months ended 31st May 1977.
§ Mr. JohnIn the 12 months ended 31st May 1977 the Obscene Publications Squad of the Metropolitan Police seized, while executing warrants issued under Section 3 of the Obscene Publications Act 1959, 209,052 copies of magazines and 1,492 copies of films for consideration by a court of their obscenity.
§ Mr. McNair-WilsonIs the Minister of State satisfied that the elements of permissibility which may have crept in as a result of corruption in the Obscene Publications Squad have now been drawn back to an acceptable limit? Is he concerned at all about displays of magazines which are openly described as hard porn "in shops in London?
§ Mr. JohnBecause of the concern about this subject, the Home Secretary set up the departmental committee under the chairmanship of Professor Williams. I am satisfied that the Obscene Publications Squad will discharge its duty.
Mr. R. C. MitchellWhat happens to those magazines and films after they are confiscated? [Interruption.] That is a serious question.
§ Mr. JohnThis is not an occasion on which I can tell the House that the publications are about to be placed in the Library.
§ Mr. SpeakerMr. Michael Alison.
§ Mr. MartenHe has not stood up.
§ Mr. SpeakerI saw the hon. Gentleman twitch.
§ Mr. AlisonMy hon. Friend will get his turn. Can the Minister of State reassure the House about the very serious points made by my hon. Friend the Member for Newbury (Mr. McNair-Wilson) that an earlier regime of the Porn Squad at Scotland Yard may have resulted in the proliferation of porn being more widespread in London? Will he take steps to tighten up the situation so that it is at least comparable with the way in which this matter is handled in the provinces?
§ Mr. JohnThe hon. Member asks the question as if my right hon. Friend and I actually operate the Metropolitan Police. This is a matter for the Commissioner, and I shall draw his attention to the question.
§ Mr. Raphael TuckAs porn is apparently here to stay, will the Minister of State try to persuade the Chancellor to do something that have been advocating for years—namely, to impose a heavy tax on pornography?
§ Hon. Members: That would be a "sin tax".
§ Mr. MartenDid the figures that the Minister gave include pornographic material confiscated by Customs and Excise officials before it had landed? What success are these officials having in confiscating stuff before it actually arrives in this country?
§ Mr. JohnI cannot give an answer to that problem. I am discussing the seizure of goods in this country.