HL Deb 12 November 1976 vol 377 cc861-2
Baroness VICKERS

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether in view of the recent conviction of a newsagent and bookseller for selling obscene literature forced on them by the publisher as part of their agency agreement the Government will consider amendment of the law so that publishers and not booksellers are responsible for the sale of such literature.

The MINISTER of STATE, HOME OFFICE (Lord Harris of Greenwich)

My Lords, I am not aware of a case in which a conviction has followed in the circumstances described. The Government are prepared to look at any points of difficulty, but there are no present plans for legislation which would exempt retailers from liability under the law.

Baroness VICKERS

My Lords, may I ask the noble Lord to be kind enough to reconsider this matter? Recently a bookseller and a newsagent were fined over £ 700 each, and one of them had a suspended prison sentence. It is very difficult because different Benches take different ideas about these publications. Surely, as in Italy, it would be very much better if the law were changed so that the responsibility was on the publishers and not the sellers of the literature.

Lord HARRIS of GREENWICH

My Lords, although we are perfectly prepared to consider any particular cases, in the instance which the noble Baroness has cited the authorities responsible for the prosecution would not accept the description which the noble Baroness has applied to the circumstances of these cases. I am aware of the point about the law in Italy, and I repeat that we will look at the matter if we receive any approach from the trade. As I am at the moment advised, we do not believe that movement in this direction is desirable.

Baroness VICKERS

My Lords, if I send the noble Lord information from the trade will he deal with this and give me a reply?

Lord HARRIS of GREENWICH

Yes, certainly, my Lords. We will look at everything the trade would like to put before us.

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