HC Deb 26 February 1934 vol 286 c757
43. Commander OLIVER LOCKER-LAMPSON

asked the Home Secretary whether he will introduce legislation to make illegal the carrying or use of knuckle-dusters and indiarubber truncheons by unofficial citizens?

Sir J. GILMOUR

Under Section 4 of the Vagrancy Act, 1824, it is already possible to deal with persons who are armed with offensive weapons, or are carrying any instrument, with intent to commit any felonious act. I am not aware of any need for further legislation in the direction suggested.

Mr. MAXTON

May we have the assurance that such instruments are not allowed even to officials? I am asking the right hon. Gentleman a supplementary question to the one he has just answered. The question he answered was whether unofficial persons are prohibited from carrying knuckle-dusters, and I asked if official persons are forbidden to carry them also?

Mr. SPEAKER

That question hardly arises.