Immoral French books

From Robin's SM-201 Website
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Legal

IMMORAL FRENCH BOOKS.

HC Deb 11 April 1889 vol 335 cc247-9 247

§ MR. SAMUEL SMITH (Flintshire) I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to a recent case of the seizure of immoral French books exposed for sale in Dublin; (248) whether, after a remand and much consideration of the case, the presiding Justice was compelled to decide that he was powerless unless the publications were in English, and added "that the Act was made to prevent the defilement of the young, and he did not see how books in another language could do so"; whether he is aware that it is customary for certain publishers in France to send advertisements of vile books and pictures into English schools, where pupils understand French, through the Post Office, offering to send them in return for payment; whether he is prepared to effect such changes in the law as will render it penal to sell or distribute immoral books or papers in foreign languages; and whether the Post Office could be authorized, as in America, to open letters or parcels when suspected, and to destroy obscene papers found therein?

§ MR. MATTHEWS The Irish Government has furnished me with a report of the case referred to, and the facts are as stated in the question, except that the magistrates did not go further than to express a doubt whether the case came within the Act. Without pledging himself to that view, he abstained from convicting and cautioned the defendant that if he was summoned again for the same thing he (the magistrate) might possibly come to a different conclusion, I am informed by the Post Office authorities that they are not aware of any law of the United States which authorizes the Post Office of that country to open suspected letters or parcels. The obscene matter is by the law of this country, and also in America, declared inadmissible by the post, and persons offending in this respect are liable to prosecution under the Post Office Protection Act 1884. It is the practice of the Post Office to stop any postal packet received from France which, primâ facie, falls within the description of the Statute, and which his sent in open covers or circulars, and recently that Department has renewed instructions for that purpose. If such advertisements or packets have found their way into English schools (as to which I have no information) they have probably been sent as letters, in which case the Post Office has no knowledge of the contents, or power to interfere with their delivery. The suggestion of the learned 249 magistrates that exposing for sale obscene books written in a foreign language is not prohibited by law was expressed by him with diffidence, and I am not prepared to concur with it, at all events, until it has been confirmed by a Superior Court, or to undertake legislation on the assumption that is well-founded.

A Personal Note from Robin

This might explain why books were suddenly being published in French

Chain-09.png
Jump to: Main PageMicropediaMacropediaIconsTime LineHistoryLife LessonsLinksHelp
Chat roomsWhat links hereCopyright infoContact informationCategory:Root