§ 35 and 36. Mr. Parkinasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will hold discussions with Chambers of Commerce with a view to legislation to discourage the sale of dangerous sheath and flicker knives;
(2) if he will hold discussions with the appropriate trade associations with a view to legislation to discourage the manufacture of dangerous sheath and flicker knives.
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeAll forms of knife or sharp instrument are potentially dangerous. I do not consider that it would be practicable to single out dangerous sheath and flicker knives for the purposes of penal legislation, even if they could be satisfactorily defined.
§ Mr. ParkinWill the Home Secretary appreciate that the references to legislation were introduced only to keep the Questions in order? Does he recollect telling the House how he used powers he had not got, and about which he could not, therefore, be questioned, to induce manufacturers of fireworks to restrict the more noisome and objectionable types that are manufactured, and will he pursue this technique of discussion to see if he can bring to an end this silly fashion among adolescents which occasionally has such tragic results?
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeI entirely agree with the hon. Gentleman, and if I can do anything in that way I shall be very happy to do so. There is a difficulty here, because there are so many absolutely essential things like carving knives, scissors and chisels, which can be lethal weapons but are not so described. However, I will certainly do what I can.