asked the Minister for Finance when it is proposed that the book censorship section of the parcels post will be returned to full working capacity; the reasons, if any, for the diminution in activity of this section; if he is aware that undesirable literature, books, films and drugs can be freely imported into this country without adequate supervision; and if he intends to increase the supervision in Dublin, Cork and Limerick.
Written Answers. - Postal Censorship.
467.
There has been no change in the extent of the supervision exercised by the Customs staff engaged in the examination of imported parcels suspected of containing undesirable literature, books, films and drugs. From time to time seizures of prohibited articles are made. I do not accept that such goods may be freely imported into this country due to inadequate supervision.
468.
asked the Minister for Finance the total number of parcels intercepted containing (a) pornographic literature (b) pornographic films and (c) illegal drugs for each quarter from 1st January, 1974, for which figures are available.
The answer is in the form of a tabular statement which with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to circulate with the Official Report. Following is the statement:
|
Quarter ended |
Literature* |
Films* |
Illegal drugs |
|
31/3/74 |
253 |
8 |
Nil |
|
30/6/74 |
225 |
13 |
1 |
|
30/9/74 |
197 |
19 |
2 |
|
31/12/74 |
225 |
1 |
3 |
|
31/3/75 |
256 |
23 |
2 |
|
30/6/75 |
291 |
1 |
Nil |
|
30/9/75 |
215 |
3 |
Nil |
*These figures relate to parcels intercepted by reason of their contents being indecent or obscene. The figures include a small number of parcels intercepted on other grounds but it is not practicable to separate these.