§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration he has given to restricting the advertisements and availability of firearms, knives, archery equipment, ammunition, replica weapons and associated services in magazines.
§ Mr. McFallTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) pursuant to the oral answer of 11 MarchOfficial Report, column 1120, by the Leader of the House, if he will receive a deputation led by the hon. Member for Dumbarton on the publication and distribution of the magazine referred to in relation to public safety;
(2) if he will introduce legislation to make it illegal to distribute magazines depicting illegal and offensive weapons.
§ Mr. Charles WardleThe Home Office has studied the magazine which was drawn to the Government's attention by the hon. Member for Dumbarton (Mr. McFall). It has been mailed direct from the USA to a number of people in this country and it appears to include several items, the importation or sale of which is prohibited.
The publisher's attention is being drawn to the provisions of our law. It is for the police or HM Customs and Excise to consider whether to initiate prosecutions for any apparent infringements. We have no plans to introduce additional legislation of the sort suggested.