§ Mr. Gareth Wardellasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many video cassettes were seized in England and Wales in 1981 and 1982 under the authority of the Obscene Publications Act 1959.
§ Mr. MellorInformation relating to such seizures is not collected centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Figures available in the report of the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis for 1982, however, show that 22,403 video cassettes were seized under the authority of the Obscene Publications Act 1959 in the Metropolitan Police district in 1982, compared with 15,756 in 1981.
§ Mr. Gareth Wardellasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish in the Official Report the number of successful prosecutions brought in relation to video cassettes under (a) section 2 and (b) section 3 of the Obscene Publications Act 1959 in 1981 and 1982.
§ Mr. MellorThe statistics available centrally on prosecutions under this Act do not distinguish separately offences involving video cassettes. Records available to us, which may be incomplete, show for 1980, 162 offenders found guilty under section 2 and 562 orders made under section 3 of the Obscene Publications Act 1959 (as amended). Corresponding information for 1981 shows 221 offenders found guilty and 630 orders made. Information for 1982 is not yet available.
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§ Mr. Gareth Wardellasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the operation of the Obscene Publications Act 1959 with regard to the control of video cassettes; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorWe recognise that the Obscene Publications Act 1959 does not in practice provide adequate control over the availability of objectionable video cassettes, and we fully accept the need for more specific legislation. I understand that my hon. Friend the Member for Luton, South (Mr. Bright) intends to introduce a Bill on this subject, details of which he will announce shortly, and we welcome his initiative.