HC Deb 30 October 1987 vol 121 c452W
Mr. Stern

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those religions and religious occasions which he proposes will be exempt from his proposed changes in the law relating to the carrying of offensive weapons.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

We propose in the Criminal Justice Bill to make it an offence for a person to have a bladed or sharply pointed article in a public place without good reason or lawful authority. It will be a defence for a person charged with the offence to prove that he has such an article with him for religious reasons.