§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what was the outcome of the investigation by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise of the material they intercepted belonging to the late Philip Core; and where are its present whereabouts.
§ Mr. RyderGoods imported into the United Kingdom by post for Mr. Philip Core were intercepted and examined by Customs. They contained a book and photographs which were considered to be obscene under section 42 of 705W the Customs Consolidation Act 1876 and accordingly they were seized as forfeit. Mr. Core appealed against seizure and condemnation proceedings were instituted under schedule 3 to the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979. On Thursday 9 November 1989, condemnation proceedings were commenced in Wells Street magistrates court, but adjourned until 20 November for consideration of certain legal points.
Sadly, Mr. Core died on 13 November and, at the adjourned hearing on 20 November, it was disclosed that he had died intestate. The case was adjourned to 11 January 1990 when it will be decided whether Mr. Core's administrators wish to continue the proceedings.
In accordance with normal practice, the offending material is still in the possession of Customs pending the outcome of court proceedings.