Internet Watch Foundation

 

Baroness Howe of Idlicote asked Her Majesty's Government:

 

Which Government department has responsibility for receiving or dealing with complaints about the showing of pornographic or paedophilic images on the Internet.

 

Baroness Scotland of Asthal: My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department has responsibility for this area of the criminal law.

 

Pornography is not defined in law, but the Obscene Publications Act 1959 covers material which is considered by the courts as tending to "deprave and corrupt" those who read, see or hear it. The Protection of Children Act 1978 (as amended) covers the taking, making, distribution or simple possession of indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of children. This legislation applies equally to the Internet as to other media.

 

Internet users can report potentially illegal material to the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) via their website (www.iwf.org.uk) or to the police.

 

Source: Hansard 23.2.4