HC Deb 17 July 1958 vol 591 cc1419-20
19. Mr. Skeffington

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware of the increasing number of accidents caused by children's air guns and air pistols; and what action he proposes to take in the light of new evidence submitted to him by the hon. Member for Hayes and Harlington.

Miss Hornsby-Smith

My right hon. Friend has no evidence of any increase in the number of such accidents. The documents forwarded by the hon. Member do not in his view indicate the need for any action on his part.

Mr. Skeffington

Is the Minister aware that that is a very unsatisfactory and disappointing reply, certainly concerning the area which I and one or two other hon. Members represent in Middlesex? There has been an increase in accidents which has shown itself, not only in injuries, sometimes very cruel to domestic pets and to wild life, but also to a number of adults and juveniles. I have already submitted details to the hon. Lady's Department. What evidence have we to supply? Must we wait until somebody gets killed, as is quite possible?

Miss Hornsby-Smith

Although allegations have often been made that the number of accidents from this cause is increasing, inquiries have been made through the Ministry of Health and the appropriate eye hospitals and there is no evidence that the number of injuries has increased since the Departmental Committee, on whose recommendations the existing law is based, examined the situation in 1934. The hon. Member will be aware that the existing law prohibits the purchase or hire of air guns by persons under the age of 17, the intention being to secure the prohibition of sales, but not gifts, and that children shall not obtain air guns without the knowledge and consent of their parents or guardians.

Mrs. Braddock

Is the hon. Lady aware that a parent can buy an air gun and hand it over to a child, of any age? Will she ask her Department to consider including in the yearly reports which are submitted to this House a special column giving the number of accidents known to the police resulting from the use of air guns? Is the hon. Lady aware that only a small alteration in the Firearms Act is needed to include air guns in the Regulations?

Miss Hornsby-Smith

I will certainly bring the points that the hon. Lady has made to the attention of my right hon. Friend. Under the Firearms Act, the Secretary of State has power to declare a type of gun to be specially dangerous, but it has not been felt that air guns as such have exceeded the maximum permissible level of power or should be included within that legislation.