§ Mr. Harry Greenwayasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to increase the penalties upon those found guilty of carrying knives for offensive purposes; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HurdThe courts are already sending more people to prison when convicted of carrying offensive weapons. The existing maximum penalty on conviction on indictment is90W two years imprisonment and/or an unlimited fine. Where the weapons are used to cause injury, high maximum penalties are available.
The Government are concerned about the increased use o f offensive weapons and are considering as a matter of urgency possible legislative changes to help curb their sale and use.