§ Mr. David YoungTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from Bolton requesting prosecution of the publishers of Salman Rushdie's book "Satanic Verses" for incitement to racial hatred.
§ Mr. John PattenMy right hon. Friend has received no representations from residents of Bolton calling for the prosecution of the publishers of this book for the offence of incitement to racial hatred. He has, however, received several representations from hon. Members, including my hon. Friend the Member for Bolton, North-East, (Mr. Thurnham) and numerous letters and petitions from members of the public and Muslim organisations, calling in more general terms for this book to be banned. My right hon. Friend has no power to ban any book. The law on incitement to racial hatred is contained in part III of the Public Order Act 1986. Prosecutions under this Act are a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Attorney-General.