§ 21. Mr. Jannerasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will prohibit the import of flick knives, in view of the increase in crimes involving the use of these implements.
§ Sir D. EcclesAs I have explained to the hon. Member in previous answers, flick knives are necessary to certain trades and employment. It is for the Home Office to estimate the danger to public safety of their use for improper purposes.
§ Mr. JannerBut is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that quite sufficient of these murderous weapons are being manufactured in this country? Is he not aware that youngsters are using these knives in an increasing number of cases and that the courts are very strongly condemning the possibility of their obtaining them without some kind of restriction? Will he not do something about it?
§ Sir D. EcclesIt is really for the police to say whether the suppression of manufacture and import for which the hon. Gentleman asks would, in fact, achieve the object. From the point of view of the Board of Trade, these knives are essential to certain trades.
§ Mr. JannerThat is really nonsense.