HC Deb 11 December 1952 vol 509 cc639-41
4. Sir R. Glyn

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider the introduction as a matter of urgency of a Bill to amend the Firearms Act, 1937, and to incorporate other statutes that need strengthening to meet existing circumstances in order to impose more severe penalties on persons found carrying firearms or other lethal weapons with intent to endanger life or cause serious injury to property, or to commit any felonious act, or who make use of firearms or imitation firearms to resist arrest.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

I am considering the suggestions made in the first part of this Question, together with related matters, and hope to make a statement shortly. As regards the last part of the Question, Section 23 of the Firearms Act, 1937, already provides a penalty of 14 years' imprisonment for using a firearm or imitation firearm to resist arrest.

Sir R. Glyn

In view of the likelihood that amending legislation would go through almost as an agreed Measure, would it not be possible to expedite the possibility of introducing it?

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

That is one of the considerations which I have in mind and I can say, without going into details, that I hope to be able to take appropriate steps.

Mr. W. R. Williams

Are we to understand from the Home Secretary's statement that he is going to consider exercising some legal control over the sale of daggers, stilettos and that sort of thing?

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

I told the House a week ago that with regard to sales by the toy shops I have secured great cooperation from the trade. I shall consider the general question which my hon. Friend has raised.

5. Sir R. Glyn

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases during the 24 months ended 31st October, 1952, have been tried under the Firearms Act, 1937; what were the number of convictions under Sections 22 and 23 of the Act; and what were the maximum sentences imposed.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

In the 24 months ended 30th September last, 2,550 cases were tried under the Firearms Act, 1937, in England and Wales. Sixteen persons were found guilty of offences under Section 22, the heaviest sentence imposed being two years' imprisonment, and 125 were found guilty of offences under Section 23, the heaviest sentence imposed being twelve years' preventive detention.

Mr. Janner

Is the Home Secretary considering the issue of some kind of directive pointing out the importance of considering very carefully the maximum amount allowed by way of penalty? If he is not prepared to do that, will he, in respect of some of the other offences, prescribe a bigger penalty in the Firearms Act instead of under these particular Sections?

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

As the hon. Gentleman prognosticated. I have great objection to the Executive trying to influence sentences. I prefer, if he will allow me, to leave it as I said in reply to one of my hon. Friends a short time ago. I am giving general consideration to the subject. I hope that that will meet the point which the hon. Gentleman has in mind.

14. Mr. Gower

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider introducing legislation to increase the penalties which may be imposed on persons found in unlawful possession of firearms and to prevent firearm licences being granted to persons who have been convicted for burglary and housebreaking.

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

As regards the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 4th December to the hon. Member for Leicester, North-West (Mr. Janner). As regards the second part of the Question, my hon. Friend's object is substantially achieved by Section 21(1) of the Firearms Act, 1937, which debars a person sentenced for any crime to imprisonment for three months or more from possessing a firearm within five years of his release.

Mr. Gower

Will the Home Secretary bear in mind that while public opinion is divided on some matters of criminal punishment and prohibition, there appears to be a large degree of unanimity on the question of firearms; and does he not agree that when a person has been convicted of burglary or housebreaking it is extremely dangerous that he should be granted a firearm licence, even after five years?

Sir D. Maxwell Fyfe

I think that I am in general agreement with what the hon. Gentleman has said, and I refer him to the answer which I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Abingdon (Sir R. Glyn).