HC Deb 12 July 1984 vol 63 cc1342-3
1. Mr. Chris Smith

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received in respect of the recent raid by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise on Gay's the Word bookshop in Marchmont street.

12. Mr. Simon Hughes

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer on what date the decision was taken to issue the seizure notice served on Gay's the Word bookshop by the Customs and Excise on 6 June.

The Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Mr. Ian Stewart)

The decision to issue the seizure notice was taken on 6 June. Eighty letters of protest have been received, of which 26 were forwarded by hon. Members. There have also been nine written questions on the matter.

Mr. Smith

Will the Minister tell the House why the decision was taken to use the customs procedures against an entirely non-commercial organisation which provides a much valued service? Will he also tell the House why the bookshop and its directors are still suffering harassment by officers of the Customs and Excise, and whether any political impetus was placed behind the original decision?

Mr. Stewart

I am surprised to hear the hon. Gentleman describe the import of obscene and indecent articles as a "much valued service". I should have thought that most hon. Members would think that the Customs and Excise ought properly to enforce the Customs Consolidation Act 1876, which charges it with prohibiting the import of obscene and indecent articles, and that the Customs and Excise needs to take whatever steps are necessary to prevent that taking place.

Mr. Hughes

Does the Minister realise that by his answer he has prejudged an important issue? No decision has yet been taken on whether the literature is obscene or indecent. Will the Minister assure the House that he and his right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer will look into the crucial matter of the workings of the Customs and Excise, which deal by one standard with one set of literature because it is imported, and by another with literature that is produced here, and selectively against one outlet of that literature when it is readily available in many other places?

Mr. Stewart

I certainly have not prejudged the issue. However, in many judgments the courts have said that the Customs and Excise must rely on the normal meaning of the words "obscene and indecent", and if it judges the articles to be such it should apprehend them. The matter will no doubt be resolved in due course through the courts, and I hope that the hon. Gentleman will at least accept that that is an entirely impartial way of dealing with it.

Mr. Adley

Why is my hon. Friend surprised that Labour Members support the import of obscene and indecent material?

Mr. Stewart

I am surprised that anyone should believe that there should be discrimination in favour of importing obscene and indecent articles. I should have thought that the whole House would support what has been done.

Mr. Dobson

The bookshop is in my constituency. Will the Minister confirm that none of my constituents has complained about it, but that many parents in the area are worried about the massive increase in heroin addiction? Does he think that the Customs and Excise should give priority to stopping the import of heroin, rather than playing the fool with a bookshop?

Mr. Stewart

Increased numbers of Customs and Excise staff are devoted to dealing with the drug problem. However, I hope that the hon. Gentleman is not suggesting that they should not also deal with the import of obscene and indecent articles.