LORD BROUGHSHANEasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether H.M. customs officers are furnished with a list of books the importation of which is prohibited; and 516WA if so, what are the books contained in such list, and by whom, and on what basis the list is compiled.
EARL JELLICOEUnder Section 42 of the Customs Consolidation Act, 1876, the importation of indecent or obscene books or other articles is prohibited. The instructions issued by the Commissioners of Customs and Excise to -their officers include a list of obscene books which may be seized locally, without reference to head office, when found in passengers' baggage or crews' effects. The list does not purport to be a comprehensive catalogue of prohibited works and it would not be fitting to give it general currency by publication. All Customs seizures, whether made locally or after reference to the Commissioners, are subject to a right of claim by the owner against the seizure, and such claims are determinable by the courts. The list is compiled and kept under review by the Commissioners in the light of previous court decisions, both in relation to imported books and in relation to those published in this country and dealt with under the Obscene Publications Act, 1959.
House adjourned at six minutes past eight o'clock for the Summer Recess.