§ Mr. Nicholas BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received concerning the production and distribution of child pornography; what action is being taken to provide extra resources to police forces to deal with this problem; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MellorWe have received a number of representations drawing attention to the abhorrent trade in child pornography. The deployment of police resources to particular tasks is an operational matter for chief officers. The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis has increased the obscene publications branch from 12 to 18 officers specifically to deal with child pornography. Other officers of the Metropolitan police and other forces also deal with it in the course of other duties.
The Protection of Children Act 1978 (as amended by the Criminal Justice Act 1988) makes it an offence to produce, possess or show indecent photographs, films or video recordings of children under 16, or to advertise their distribution or showing. The police can obtain warrants to enter and search premises and remove any indecent material. Maximum penalties for child pornography range up to three years' imprisonment, an unlimited fine, or both.
There are already strong measures against child pornography, but we are ready to consider proposals for making them more effective.