LORD CAMPBELLreminded the House that a Bill, introduced by himself, for the purpose of checking the circulation of obscene publications and prints, passed the Legislature during the last Session and became the law of the land. It was thought that that Act would lead to dangerous consequences, and he was therefore about to move for a Return to show what had been done under its operation up to the present time. He was assured that it had operated most beneficially. He 227 was told that informations had been laid against dealers of the publications in question in Holywell Street; that warrants had been granted and searches made; and that large quantities of these abominable commodities had been found, and the parties owning them summoned before the magistrates. This siege of Holywell Street might he compared to the siege of Delhi. The place was not taken in a day, hut repeated assaults were necessary, and at last he was told, it was now in the quiet possession of the law, for the shops where these abominations were found had been shut up, and the rest of the houses were now conducted in a manner free from exception. He believed that the apprehensions expressed in certain quarters as to the probable effect of the Act in one respect had not been realised, for as yet no repertory of the fine arts had been disturbed. With the view of testing the accuracy of his information he moved for a—
Return of the Informations laid under the Act 20th and 21st Vict. Cap. 83, "for more effectually preventing the Sale of Obscene Books, Pictures, Prints, and other Articles," the Wan-ants issued thereupon, and the Result of the Proceedings in each Case.
§ THE EARL OF ELLENBOROUGHhoped his noble and learned Friend did not move for this Return with the view of bringing any of the publications in question before their Lordships.
LORD CAMPBELLsaid, his noble Friend's modesty need not be at all alarmed, for his Return would be only of the general character he had indicated.
§ Motion agreed to.