§ 20. Mr. LEVYasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his attention has been called to recent cases in which private residents have been held up by armed men who have forced their way into the houses; and what measures are being taken or are proposed to restrict the distribution of arms which make possible these crimes?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir John Gilmour)The answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In reply to the second part, the provisions of the Firearms Act, 1920, are being strictly enforced by the police and, in 1325 addition, as I informed my hon. Friend the Member for Camberwell (Mr. Cassels) on the 16th February, I am considering the possibility of new legislation to provide special penalties for the possession or use of a firearm or a colourable imitation in connection with the commission of crime or for the purpose of avoiding arrest.
§ Mr. LEVYAm I to understand from that reply that the sale of toy pistols which can be converted into lethal weapons will be prohibited, and will the right hon. Gentleman consider revising the existing licences with a view to their reduction?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI cannot go into details in answer to a question, but the whole matter is under consideration, and I cannot add anything to what I have said.