HC Deb 15 April 1993 vol 222 cc699-700W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many certificates have been signed under the terms of section 27 of the Data Protection Act 1984 for each year since 1987.

Mr. Lang

No certificates have been signed by myself or my predecessor, my right hon. and learned Friend the Member for Edinburgh, Pentlands (Mr. Rifkind), under section 27 of the Data Protection Act 1984 in the period since 1987.

Statutory provision Offence Maximum sentence
1. Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982
(a) section 51(1) Displaying obscene material in a public place. On summary conviction, a fine not exceeding the prescribed sum (currently £5,000) and 3 months' imprisonment. On conviction on indictment, a fine and 2 years' imprisonment.
(b) section 51(2) Publishing, selling or distributing or, with a view to its eventual sale or distribution, making, printing, having or keeping obscene material. As above.
(c) section 51(2A) Including obscene material in a programme included in a programme service or, with a view to its eventual inclusion in such a programme, making, printing, having or keeping obscene material. As above.
(d) section 52 Taking, or permitting to be taken, an indecent photograph of a child; or distributing or showing such a photograph; or possessing such a photograph with a view to distributing or showing it; or publishing or causing to be published any advertisement likely to be understood as conveying that the advertiser distributes or shows such a photograph. As above.