[1] This issue was drawn to the attention of Parliament by the National Union of Teachers and by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Geoffrey Fisher.

Section 2(2) requires the consent of the Attorney General to prosecute the offence in England and Wales.

Section 3 gives the courts the power to issue search warrants and to order forfeiture of harmful publications.

[citation needed] To contravene the section is an offence under the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979, punishable with up to 7 years' imprisonment.

It also originally included a sunset clause under which the Act was to expire on 31 December 1965, unless Parliament decided otherwise.