HC Deb 15 March 1928 vol 214 cc2079-81
17. Mr. HAYES

asked the Home Secretary whether his attention has been called to the following cases: at Sheffield Police Court on the 20th February, 1928, when a youth, 19 years of age, previously convicted

Mr. R. MORRISON

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the figures show an increase or a decrease in convictions?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

Perhaps the hon. Member will look at the reply tomorrow morning.

Lieut.Commander KENWORTHY

Has there been any decrease since the right hon. Gentleman came into office?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

The figures will show the hon. and gallant Member what he wants to know.

Following is the reply:

of gun stealing, was discharged in respect of an alleged offence against the Firearms Act, 1920, on the grounds that the Colt revolver, the rifling of which had been removed by drilling, was a smooth-bore weapon; at North London Police Court on the 6th March, 1928, when a convict was charged with failing to report, a life preserver and so-called toy pistol was found in his possession; at the Sussex Assizes, on the 7th March, 1928, when a man was charged with holding up a post office and alleged to have fired at the postmistress with a toy pistol that fired only blank ammunition; and at Wigan Police Court, on the 8th March, 1928, when a man was convicted of being in possession of a revolver without having a certificate for same, which revolver had originally been a toy one but had been converted into a lethal weapon; and whether, in the interests of public security, he proposes to take any action to restrict further the manufacture, importation and sale of such weapons as are capable of being used for unlawful purposes?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I replied to a question by the hon. Member only yesterday that legislation would be necessary to effect any change in the law regarding firearms. I can only add that I will consider the whole question seriously.

Mr. HAYES

While appreciating what the right hon. Gentleman has done in this matter, does he not think that a suitable, friendly word to the wise in the trade might be of great help in restricting the sale of these weapons to people who are converting them into lethal weapons?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

I have no doubt the trade will see the hon. Member's observation, but the difficulty is that, if I give advice to the trade, the hon. Member or his colleagues may call me over the coals for acting beyond my authority.

Mr. HAYES

Does the right hon. Gentleman realise that the trade may sell weapons in London, which may be bought by perfectly innocent persons, who may, on arrival in Liverpool, owing to the good sense of the stipendiary magistrate there, be arrested for possessing firearms?

Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKS

Yes, I suppose that is the case.