§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Attorney-General what advice was given by the Director of Public Prosecutions and the police concerning raids on bookshops for books dealing with drugs and homosexuality.
§ The Solicitor-GeneralDecisions as to the exercise in particular cases of powers of search and seizure are operational matters within the discretion of the chief officer of the police force or other enforcement agency concerned. In appropriate cases the Director of Public Prosecutions may give legal advice as to the extent of powers of search and seizure and the suitability of particular material as the basis of such action. Chief officers of police are under no obligation to tender advice to other enforcement authorities but it would be perfectly proper for them to do so.
I understand that the hon. Member has in mind the seizure of certain material from the bookshop Gay's the 576W Word in Mount Pleasant, London by officers of HM Customs and Excise. No advice was given concerning this matter by the DPP. I have no reponsibility for the police and am not aware of the answer to the question in relation to them.