§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will take steps to ensure that dangerous weapons, including crossbows, swordsticks, and so on are covered by a licensing system; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will initiate a study into the growing number of dangerous weapons in public hands; what steps he is taking to curb this growth; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitelawI am not convinced that tighter controls over weapons of this type are either justified or practicable at present, but I am keeping the matter under review. I hope to make a statement shortly on the Government's policy in relation to firearms legislation.