HC Deb 03 November 1988 vol 139 c1172
8. Mr. Butler

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department is planning to secure the better enforcement of the Video Recordings Act 1984; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Renton

In the Criminal Justice Act 1988 we have provided powers for local authority trading standards officers to enforce the Video Recordings Act 1984. We are also discussing with the trade associations how video dealers can be made more fully aware of their obligations under the Act.

Mr. Butler

When my hon. Friend meets representatives of the video trade, will he discuss with them how jointly they may clamp down on cowboys who deal in degrading filth?

Mr. Renton

Yes. I have already met representatives of the trade and my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is planning to meet them shortly. It is the sort of subject that we discuss with them. I emphasise that progress is definitely being made. Now that the Video Recordings Act is fully in force, all videos except for a few categories, such as religion and education, must be classified. There is a fine of up to £20,000 for selling an unclassified video recording. I assure my hon. Friend that progress is being made in achieving the aims that he has in mind.

Mr. Randall

Does the Minister agree that if the number of prosecutions is anything to go by, enforcement is not working satisfactorily? Is it not hypocritical of the Government to advocate improved viewing standards that will reduce the showing of sex and violence without making more cash available to cash-strapped local authorities for enforcement? The Minister cannot have it both ways.

Mr. Renton

The hon. Gentleman is quite wrong. The Criminal Justice Act 1988 gives local trading standards officers powers relating to videos similar to those that apply to other aspects of their work—[Interruption.] The hon. Gentleman should wait for a moment. The enforcement powers began only last month, but information shows that they are already having an effect. So far this year the British Board of Film Classification has issued 48 certificates in connection with proceedings under the Video Recordings Act 1984 and is now examining almost 500 video works for the same purpose, yet it is only a month since local trading standards officers were given those powers.