The Gazette 1974

Britain, as compared with 211,000 such visitors in 1972. This is an increase of 7 per cent. The figures do not include British born subjects who are exempt from control on a reciprocal basis. In 1973, 98 persons were naturalised as compared with 89 in the previous year. This brings to 3.115 the total number of all persons naturalised since 1935, when provision for naturalisation was made. In 1973 the Film Ceiror examined 865 films with a total footage of 3,502,868. The number of films exam- ined by the censor in 1972 was 791 and the footage examined in that year was 2,775,852. Of the total of 865 films which the censor examined in 1973, 650 were passed without cuts, 195 were passed with cuts and 20 were rejected. Censorship of Films and of Publications The Censor issued 247 limited certificates. The Censorship of Films Appeal Board considered appeals in respect of 13 films. Six of the appeals were rejected. One film was allowed for general viewing with cuts, four for limited viewing without cuts and two for limited viewing with cuts. Complaints have been made to me from time to time that persons under age are admitted to films issued with a limited certificate. My attention has been drawn to the increasing amount of unsolicited pornographic material received in the post from abroad and I would like to take this opportunity of warning parents to check the post coming to their homes. In addition, complaints have been made to me about the quantity of paperback pornography available and I am considering possible measures to deal with this undesirable development. The Censorship of Publications Board examined 251 books and eight periodicals in 1973. Four books were examined as a result of formal complaints from mem- bers of the public and 247 books were referred to the board bv officer" of Customs and Excise. The board made 219 prohibition orders in respect of books and five in respect of periodicals. Appeals for revocation of prohibition orders were examined by the Censorship of Publications Appeal Board in respect of two books and two periodicals. These appeals were successful. Under section 2 of the Censorship of Publications Act, 1967, a prohibition order imposed on the ground that a book is indecent or obscene ceases to have effect after 12 years. By virtue of this provision 393 prohibi- tion orders in respect of books ceased to have effect on 31 December 1973. In the Public Record Office the amount of material being transferred continued to grow. The main intake of documents in the office consists of the transfer of records from the principal and district probate registries and from the courts. During the period under review a large quantity of legal papers was received from solici- tors and others. Compul ory Social Work The alternatives available to courts at the moment ought to be looked at again with a view to devising some form of penalty which would deal with the many- situations where a fine is inadequate but a pri r on sen- tence is too severe. I have in mind persons being deprived of leisure, having to do compulsory social work, serving sentences at weekends et cetera. This is an area in which I intend to initiate studies during the 100

Judgments, came into operation, as between the six 0r 'ginal Member States, on 1 February 1973. In signing the Treaty of Accession the new Member States undertook to accede to this Convention, subject to any necessary adjustments to be negotiated. These Negotiations are now proceeding. It appears unlikely lll at the Convention will come into force for this country for some considerable time. Meanwhile, as the Hquse is aware, negotiations are in progress with r 'tain with a view to working out a suitable interim arrangement for the reciprocal enforcement of main- tenance orders. I hope that the position will be reached He r e I can introduce legislation to give effect to the Arrangement on our side during the next session, f u m i n g that the legislation is enacted before the Summer recess, the agreement can be signed and im- plemented shortly afterwards. The draft Convention on Bankruptcy is the outcome y approximately seven years' work by eminent jurists Jrom the six original Member States. This draft is now being considered by delegates from Member States of j' le enlarged Community, including representatives [rom my Department, meeting periodically in Brussels, 'he report of our own Bankruptcy I,aw Committee has re cently been published and proposals for the amend- me, it and codification of our existing bankruptcy pro- t o n s are contained in the draft Bankruptcy Bill and fae draft Bankruptcy rules which are appended to that re port. The relationship between the draft convention a,1 d the recommendations of the Bankruptcy Law Com- Httee is being examined Departmentally. A Private International Law Convention is also being Prepared under the auspices of the Commission of the Hropean Communities. This Convention will deal with fae l a w applicable to contractual and non-contractual l i g a t i o ns and the law applicable to corporeal and in- c °rporeal property. A preliminary draft of the conven- is at present being considered by a committee of ^ x Perts consisting of delegates from the various Mem- e r States. Adoption and Aliens I was aware when I took office of the need for some changes in the adoption laws. I have had extensive 9'scus"ions with persons knowledgeable in the field, the societies, social workers, the Board itself. As a result, a m now in a position to put proposals to the Govern- ment. I hope to have amending legislation introduced during this session. I confess I had hoped to be farther advanced at this stage but the discussions took fa'lger than I anticipated. I am grateful to all who had fascussions with me. The Adoption Board made 1,402 adoption orders in H? 3 , I l l more than in 1972. The proportion of c nildren placed by adoption societies was 84 per cent Hnp a r ed with 83 per cent in 1972. Seven hundred and JHeen of the orders made in 1973 were in respect of 9°Vs and 687 were in respect of girls. The board con- ll nues to hold sittings outside Dublin so as to facilitate Prospective adopters. Forty-eight of the total of 94 fastings held during the year were held in various Cer Ures outside Dublin. There has been some increase in recent years in the > n b e r of aliens registered as being resident here for J) r ee months or more. The number so registered on l 1 December 1972 was 6,118, as against 6,088 on 31 i^cember 1971. These are the latest figures available, jfaughly 226.000 temporary visitors came here in 1973 r °m places other than the North of Ireland and Great