asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many prosecutions under the Obscene Publications Act, 1964, for the sale of obscene literature took place last year; and how many resulted in convictions;(2) how many persons convicted last year under the Obscene Publications Act, 1964, received prison sentences; and how many were fined.

The statistics do not distinguish between offences under the Obscene Publications Acts of 1959 and 1964. In 1970, the latest year for which figures are available, 163 persons were proceeded against under the Acts. 148 were found guilty, of whom five were sentenced to immediate imprisonment and 124 were fined.