§ 19. Mr. Roseasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps have been taken, and what action he proposes to take, concerning the sale of archery sets as toys, which constitute a danger to children.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesIn August, 1967, the trade was asked through the appropriate associations not to sell sports equipment of this kind to children or to 1601 persons apparently wishing to give it to children as a toy. This advice was repeated in a Press notice issued to appropriate trade journals in January last year. I have no reason to believe that this request is being disregarded, but if my hon. Friend has a particular case in mind and will send me details I shall be glad to have it looked into.
§ Mr. RoseIs my hon. Friend aware that such an archery set can be as lethal as a gun, and that there was in my constituency an incident when an arrow with a brass tip penetrated two inches into the head of a child who narrowly escaped death? Will he not therefore impose a restriction on the sale and place of use of these archery sets?
§ Mr. ReesThere is a question of appropriateness of statute and, although I have looked into this most carefully, there is a problem in distinguishing in regulations between arrows used in normal sport and these arrows, but if my hon. Friend will let me have details of his case I will do all that I can.