HC Deb 11 November 1971 vol 825 cc223-4W
76. Sir G. Nabarro

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, having regard to the judgment pronounced by the Lord Chief Justice in the Oz case, on 5th November, and the uncertainty about the law of obscenity and pornography, whether he will introduce legislation to consolidate and improve the law on every aspect of obscenity and pornography, and corrupting and depraving public morals.

77. Sir D. Walker-Smith

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if, having regard to the passage of time and change of circumstances since the review of the law of obscenity prior to the passage of the Obscene Publications Act, 1959, he will recommend the appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire into, and make proposals for, the said law;

(2) if he is aware of the dichotomy between the statutory tests of obscenity in Section 1 of the Obscene Publications Act, 1959, and Section 11 of the Post Office Act, 1953 and what steps he pro-poses to remove this anomaly.

Mr. Maudling

While I should wish to consider closely the full implications of the recent judgment of the Court of Appeal, I have no present intention of introducing comprehensive legislation on this subject or of recommending the appointment of a Royal Commission to review it.