asked the Minister for Justice whether, having regard to the increase from 533 on 1st October, 1957, to 738 on 1st April, 1958, in the number of publications awaiting the attention of the Censorship of Publications Board, he is satisfied that the board, as at present constituted, is adequate to deal expeditiously with the number of works referred to it.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Censorship of Publications Board.
asked the Minister for Justice whether, having regard to the uncertainty and concern in the book trade arising from delays in dealing with works submitted to the Censorship of Publications Board, he will take steps immediately to ensure that the delay in dealing with such works will be substantially reduced.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 14 and 15 together.
I am satisfied that the Censorship of Publications Board is functioning with as much expedition as is consistent with a conscientious discharge of its duty. But there is a limit to the number of publications that a board can examine in any particular period. Where this limit is exceeded there are bounds to be delays but everything possible is being done to avoid them.
Is the Minister satisfied that the expedition is as great as it should be? He says it is. I am informed that there are a large number of books in arrears which are still in circulation and that these books are in circulation because they are not censored. There is a large number awaiting review.
The position is that there has been an increase in the number of books which are being sent to the Censorship Board by the Revenue Commissioners. It does not mean, of course, that all these books are books which should be banned. They are only books which, in the opinion of the Revenue Commissioners, should be submitted to the Censorship Board. It is the increase that is referred to in the question which is brought about by reason of that fact.