§ Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take further measures to protect the public from people who use dangerous weapons.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggAs my right hon. Friend indicated in the debate on firearms in the House on 26 October (columns 35–41), the Government intend to introduce a new Firearms Bill before Christmas to strengthen existing controls. As for other potentially offensive weapons, provisions have been added to the Criminal Justice Bill, currently in another place, which will enable the manufacture, sale and importation of specified weapons (other than firearms and crossbows) to be prohibited and which broadly will make it an offence to carry a bladed or sharply pointed article in public without good reason.