§ Mr. CorbettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will give the number and location of publicly owned collections of edged, pointed, concussive and other weapons;
(2) what studies his Department has conducted into the effect of provisions of the Criminal Justice Bill [Lords] regarding edged, pointed, concussive and other weapons on auction houses auctioning weapons which are antique or collectors' items;
(3) if his Department had made any estimate of the number of registered traders dealing in edged, pointed, concussive and other weapons which are either antique or regarded as works of artistic or technical merit.
§ Mr. John PattenOur consultations with outside interests on a first draft list of weapons which it will become an offence under the Criminal Justice Bill to manufacture, sell and import have prompted helpful responses from museums, auctioneers, dealers and others on the possible consequences of the proposals for them. These will assist us in reaching decisions on the final composition of the list.