HC Deb 11 July 1991 vol 194 c425W
Sir Michael McNair-Wilson

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many imported publications deemed to be obscene have been seized by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise in the past five years; how many persons have been prosecuted for this trade; and what punishments were imposed.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

In the five years 1986 to 1991 a total of 157,689 publications deemed to be indecent or obscene were seized by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise. 373 persons were prosecuted leading to a total of 36 years 9 months imprisonment (including 18 years 1 month suspended sentences), seven years probation and fines and costs totalling £183,171.