HC Deb 27 July 1972 vol 841 cc357-8W
43. Mr. McMaster

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now seek powers to restrict the dissemination of anti-British and Republican propaganda by organisations at present engaged in terrorist activities against the British Army, police and United Kingdom citizens through news media, which publish material within the United Kingdom.

Mr. R. Carr

Under existing law it may be an offence to disseminate material which is held to be seditious or to be threatening, abusive or insulting. If any hon. Member has evidence that the law has been broken he should send it to the appropriate prosecuting authority. It would be contrary to our traditions to use the criminal law to deal with propaganda which, offensive though it may be, does not fall within these categories.