§ Mr. DunnachieTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what proposals his Department has to review and strengthen the law as it relates to the publication and circulation of pornography, with particular reference to the easing of border controls within the European Community in 1992; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what representations have been made to other member states of the European Community to seek harmonisation of legislation against the publication and circulation of pornography prior to the easing of border controls in 1992; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenCriminal law about pornography is a matter for each member state of the Community. The easing of frontier controls in 1992 will not require relaxation of our strict controls against obscene material. We make our views on this subject clear to other member states, with particular stress on pornography involving children. A harmonising exercise would, however, raise questions of Community competence and would not necessarily result in a common standards matching ours.