HC Deb 07 March 1972 vol 832 cc1249-50

3.58 p.m.

Mr. Greville Janner (Leicester, North-West)

I beg to move, That leave be given to bring in a Bill to extend the provisions of the Restriction of Offensive Weapons Acts 1959 and 1961 to swordsticks. There has been a flood of these hideous weapons coming into the Midlands of late, including Birmingham, Manchester and Leicester, and action is needed now. I have been informed today by a reporter on the "Nationwide" programme that an enormous consignment consisting of thousands of swordsticks has left the London Docks for a firm known as Great Eastern Crafts, and a Mr. Lewis, of "Nationwide", has told me that he was offered 500 at £1.50 a time with no questions asked. Action needs to be taken now before tragic results follow from the distribution of these dangerous weapons.

These are very cheap objects. I have one which was obtained by a reporter on the Leicester Mercury for £2.95, and I am told that they are available cheaply everywhere, including Petticoat Lane. If such a weapon were in the hands of a villain or a man who became drunk there is no knowing how it might be used. If anyone thinks that these long thin blades are the amusing shades of Fu Manchu, they should see the one which I was forbidden to bring into the Chamber this afternoon. It is outside in the possession of a doorkeeper. It is a horrible object. I am told that both sticks and swords are banned from this Chamber, and of late for very good reason. That being so, this weapon is available outside and I invite hon. Members to look at it.

There is present in the House today a constituent of the hon. Member for Luton (Mr. Simeons), a Mr. Ben Robinson, who was run through the stomach with one of these blades at a dance. If anybody thinks that this is a joke, I shall be very pleased to introduce him to Mr. Robinson outside because that man has been disabled for life as a result of this incident.

In terms of the past there have not been many of these modern swordsticks about. As for the future, there is a grave danger, a danger which has grown much greater in the past week following the large consignment which has recently been imported.

The matter can be dealt with quite simply and swiftly. I seek to have banned the manufacture of swordsticks in this country and the import, sale or possession for sale of modern sword-sticks. I understand that certain hon. Members who are now present are somewhat concerned about their collection from the Indian Mutiny and are somewhat afraid they might have to give up their accumulation of these weapons. They need have no fear from the provisions of this Bill, which are aimed entirely at modern weapons only.

There are two Acts on the Statute book which are designed to deal with the menace of flick knives. In regard to the Restriction of Offensive Weapons Act, 1959, it would be churlish of me, for ancestral reasons not to pay tribute to the former hon. Member for Leicester, North-West who introduced that legislation. Unfortunately, it took him five years to get that legislation through the House, by which time many deaths had occurred.

I hope that on this occasion it will be possible, by simple amendment of legislation, to prevent the import of these dangerous weapons before they become a craze. I see no reason why we should always wait for criminals to get in first. It would be a record if just for once we were able to prevent a crime which we know to be on its way. This can be done by the addition of a very few words to existing legislation. It will take very little time of the House, and indeed I shall today take no more time of the House but beg leave to introduce the Bill.

Question put and agreed to.

Bill ordered to be brought in by Mr. Greville Janner. Mr. Tom Bradley. Mr. Simeons, Mr. John Peel, Mr. Donald Stewart, Mr. William Hamilton, Mr. Arthur Davidson, Mr. Patrick Cormack, Mr. Peter Archer, Mr. Adley, Mr. Miscampbell, and Mr. Buchan.