§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action the Customs and Excise takes to ensure that obscene literature is prevented from entering this country at the airports and sea ports; what seizures of such material have taken place during the past 12 months; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the seditious and obscene literature sent to this country from the illegal régime in Rhodesia is seized and destroyed at the port of entry.
§ Mr. TaverneThe Customs and Excise, in the course of its general control of imports, enforces the prohibition on the importation of indecent or obscene literature in accordance with the procedure laid down in the Customs and Excise Act, 1952. The number of books and magazines seized in the year ended 31st December, 1969, was 2,120,000. The prohibition applies irrespective of the country whence the goods are consigned. There is also a general prohibition on importations from Rhodesia under other legislation.