§ Mr. Simon Hughesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether Her Majesty's Customs and Excise intend to return all the books seized during a raid on Gay's the Word bookshop in April; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HayhoeThe majority of the books removed from Gay's the Word bookshop in April has been returned. No decision has yet been taken whether formally to seize any of the remainder.
§ Mr. Simon Hughesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether officials of Her Majesty's Customs and Excise have at any time had access to police riles on any of the individual directors of Gay's the Word bookshop.
§ Mr. HayhoeNo.
§ Mr. Simon Hughesasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why Her Majesty's Customs and Excise took action to seize certain books from Gay's the Word bookshop which are available at other retail outlets.
§ Mr. HayhoeHer Majesty's Customs and Excise are responsible for enforcing the prohibition on the importation of indecent or obscene articles. Their action in removing for examination books from Gay's the Word bookshop was a direct consequence of the discovery elsewhere of certain books believed to be prohibited imports.