HC Deb 24 July 1986 vol 102 cc577-8
2. Mr. Colin Shepherd

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representation he has received concerning the unrestricted sale of "Black Widow" catapults.

The Minister of State, Home Department (Mr. Giles Shaw)

A few hon. Members, the Association of County Councils and one police authority have recently expressed concern about "Black Widow" catapults.

Mr. Shepherd

Is my hon. Friend aware that other organisations, as well as the public, are deeply perturbed about this particular variant of the old-fashioned catapult, not least the RSPCA, which considers it to be potentially foully lethal to animals? Does he agree that any implement that advertises the capability of being able to heave a 5/16 in steel ball 225 yards with accuracy is not an inoffensive weapon? Will he take a very much more stringent attitude to this question than he has shown in recent answers to parliamentary questions, and advise carefully on how this instrument should be sold?

Mr. Shaw

I am very concerned at the sale of a wide range of implements that can be misused in public. My hon. Friend will know that the law on using at item as an offensive weapon is sufficiently tight to catch this kind of offence, should it be committed in public. As my hon. Friend draws attention to the fact that these items are widespread and that there is public concern on the issue, I shall monitor the situation extremely carefully.

Mr. Alex Carlile

Will the Minister make representations to W. H. Smith to try to stop it selling the magazine "Survival Weaponry Techniques", which glorifies weapons such as these "Black Widow" catapults and offers a huge range of wicked weapons for sale by post to teenagers and others without any real restraint whatsoever? Will he recognise that this is an urgent matter about which something should be done, instead of merely talking about it?

Mr. Shaw

I fully recognise that point, and in relation to a range of issues I am considering whether we can provide for the kind of voluntary guidance that was given in the case of martial arts equipment. A number of issues are involved that may require to be handled in that way, and I shall consider the hon. and learned Gentleman's point.

Mr. Dickens

Is my hon. Friend aware that the "Black Widow" is only the junior model and that the "Diablo" model, which is advertised in this week's "Shooting Times and Country" magazine, which is in the Library, is a killer which has a sight, an arm rest and pistol grip? The unrestricted sale of these weapons must be stopped or we shall present the police and ourselves with an enormous problem if we do not tackle this matter completely.

Mr. Shaw

I understand my hon. Friend's anxiety. He will know that a large range of similar devices are on sale which can be used safely under certain controlled conditions. What concerns my hon. Friend and the House is the wide availability of such items to those who will not use them under trained and careful conditions. It is that problem that I shall endeavour to deal with.

Mr. Dubs

Is the Minister aware that the "Black Widow" and the other catapult are made by Barnett International, which also manufactures crossbows, about which this House has expressed concern? For some strange reason the firm received the 1985 Queen's award for export and technology. Is there any innocent use to which these lethal catapults can be put? If not, ought there not to be some quick action by the Home Office on their sale?

Mr. Shaw

The hon. Gentleman is quite right. The company did indeed win the Queen's award for export, because 85 per cent. of its entire production goes overseas. In relation to domestic sale, the hon. Gentleman is equally correct that widespread abuse could occur from the use of these weapons. Equally, there are a number of clubs which make legitimate use of these weapons on private premises. What we have to do is to strike a balance of where we can take discriminate action as opposed to merely taking the view that everything which can be abused must be the subject of legislation preventing its sale. Otherwise, knives and scissors would be in the latter category.