§ 16. Mr. FaberTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he had received concerning the Obscene Publications Act 1964; and what plans he has to seek to amend it.
§ Mr. JackI have received no representations specifically concerning the Obscene Publications Act 1964, which amended the Obscene Publications Act 1959 in order to create an additional offence of possessing an obscene article for publication for gain. We have received a variety of representations on the general subject of obscenity and we are currently considering what improvements might be made in the enforcement of both Acts.
§ Mrs. Ann WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish the text of the letters which have been sent by his Department to representatives of the police inviting their comment on enforcement questions.
§ Mr. Jack[holding answer 25 February 1993]: As the hon. Member is aware, the Government are currently considering what measures might be taken to help improve the enforcement of the Obscene Publication Acts 1959 and 1964. This is not a matter for public consultation, but we have sought the views of members of the police service in order to assist in developing policy proposals in this area. We will make the results of our consideration public as soon as possible.
678WIn the meantime, I can confirm that letters have been sent to the chairman of the crime committee of the Association of Chief Police Officers and to the heads of the obscene publications branch of two police forces. These letters sought views about the effectiveness of the provisions of the Obscene Publications Acts 1959 and 1964 about ways which the enforcements of those and other legal provisions relating to pornography might be improved. Correspondents were asked if they were aware of any particular aspects of law which give rise to difficulties, what those difficulties might be and, how widespread they seemed to be; and whether they had any views on how they might be overcome. They were also asked for their assessment of the extent of the problem posed by the availability of obscene material on computer disk and for any views they might have on procedural or legal changes which might alleviate any difficulties experienced in investigating offences involving such material.