§ 2.36 p.m.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they are in favour of the sale of coshes, stilettos and other weapons to children, and what steps they propose to take to deal with the question.]
THE LORD CHANCELLOR (LORD SIMONDS)My Lords, the sale of offensive weapons, and of toy facsimiles of such weapons, to children has recently occasioned criticism in many quarters. This is a question which raises a number of difficulties, and I fear that I cannot say more to-day than that my right honourable friend the Home Secretary is considering various suggestions which have been made to him in this matter and that he hopes to be in a position to make a statement in the near future.
§ EARL HOWEMy Lords, may I ask the noble and learned Lord whether he is aware that this week-end I have seen in a list a perfectly good stiletto, eleven inches long overall, to be sold as a Christmas present? Could the noble and learned Lord tell us that the Home Secretary will act without undue delay in the matter, because, after all, these are very unpleasant things to have about.
THE LORD CHANCELLORMy Lords, I am sure that the fact that the noble Lord has mentioned this matter, and other similar facts, will be brought to the notice of the Home Secretary and that he will act with all the promptitude of which the matter admits.
§ VISCOUNT SIMONDid not Edmund Burke, on a famous occasion, produce a dagger and throw it upon the House of Commons floor; and will not my noble friend do something of the same kind on this occasion?