§ Mr. Whitakerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will now introduce legislation to amend the Obscene Publications Act, and to extend the right to trial by jury and the right to call expert witnesses in cases concerning literary publications.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsI am tabling an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill which will safeguard the right to trial by jury in proceedings under the Obscene Publications Act, 1959, by prohibiting private actions for forfeiture under Section 3 of the Act. There is already an entitlement to call expert witnesses in all proceedings under the Act.