Books Bill Change ‘not Needed’ (Press, 19 October 1972)
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Summary: Books Bill Change ‘not Needed’ (Press, 19 October 1972)
On 18 October 1972, during a parliamentary debate on the Indecent Publications Amendment Bill, Dr A. M. Finlay, the Opposition’s spokesman on justice, expressed skepticism regarding the necessity of amending the Indecent Publications Act. He highlighted that many proponents of the changes appeared to be unaware of the history and operations of the Indecent Publications Tribunal. The proposed amendments would alter the procedures, administration, and enforcement of the 1963 act, allowing the tribunal’s chairman to issue interim orders that would restrict the sale of materials under review. Dr Finlay raised concerns about the potential for the chairman to merely approve departmental requests for restriction orders, which could undermine the tribunal's independence. He referenced the case of the “Little Red School Book,” suggesting that if a restriction had been implemented, only a fraction of the 81,000 copies sold would have been impacted. Dr Finlay also mentioned the “Patricia Bartlett Cookbook,” which he deemed wholly objectionable, arguing that it should be condemned as obscene in its implications regarding broader societal issues, such as the Vietnam War and environmental degradation. In contrast, Labour MP Mr T. J. Young defended the provisions for interim restrictions as necessary for the law’s efficacy. He argued that without such measures, the legislation’s purpose would be compromised, as indecent literature could circulate freely. Mr Young asserted that the public had a legitimate interest in the materials being published, and it was vital for Parliament to heed public concerns about certain publications and their contents, including their illustrations.
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