HC Deb 15 February 1996 vol 271 cc1124-5
3. Mrs. Ann Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made by the interdepartmental working group on obscenity. [13851]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Tom Sackville)

The interdepartmental group on obscenity has met four times so far. It has been considering the availability of pornography on computer networks; the display of indecent material in newsagents; and the sale of magazines to youngsters.

Mrs. Winterton

While I welcome that response, especially in respect of the enforcement of the law against child pornographers, may I remind my hon. Friend of the widespread view in the House that the definition of obscenity in the Obscene Publications Act 1959 is virtually unworkable? Will he bring forward proposals to improve the situation so that successful prosecutions can be brought?

Mr. Sackville

While I share all my hon. Friend's concerns, I remind her that in 1993, there were 293 prosecutions and 209 convictions under the Obscene Publications Act 1959. The flexibility in the formula of "depraved and corrupt" is, in the end, what a jury makes of it. That is one of its advantages. If we find that we need new legislation to control pornography—for the Internet, for example—we will act.

Rev. Martin Smyth

I welcome the information that the Minister has given us. Does he expect the working group to report in the near future or is it to be kept in being? When may we expect some decision from it?

Mr. Sackville

The working group has already been taking action, for example, in getting the service providers of the Internet together, so that we can work on a voluntary agreement—it has to be voluntary and international and there has to be co-operation—to try to prosecute those who are transmitting pornographic material on the Internet. That is one example of the way in which that interdepartmental group is already working. There are many others. Some may involve magazines and other new legislation that may be required.

Mr. John Marshall

Will my hon. Friend take note of the fact that many people would like stronger action to be taken against paedophiles who import videos showing themselves to be engaging in disgusting activities?

Mr. Sackville

The House is well aware of the Bill to deal with sex tourism which my hon. Friend has introduced. The question whether it is possible to extend territorial jurisdiction overseas is under review. He is right to say that, if there are problems over evidence in that type of sex tourism, it is one category where the evidence might be available and usable under our law.