HC Deb 15 July 1991 vol 195 c17W
Sir Michael McNair-Wilson

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions for breaches of the Obscene Publications Act 1959 have taken place in the past five years; and how many have been successful.

Mr. John Patten

The information requested is given in the table. Data for 1990 are not yet available.

Defendants proceeded against and found guilty of offences under the Obscene Publications Act 19591
England and Wales
Year Total proceeded against Total found guilty
1985 275 226
1986 129 126
1987 121 93
1988 158 130
1989 125 96
1 Obscene Publications Act 1959, section 2 as amended by the Obscene Publications Act 1964, section 1.