§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what plans he has to introduce legislation requiring night clubs to improve security and entry checks in respect of knives and other dangerous weapons; [4780]
(2) how many times in the last year he has met representatives from police authorities to discuss security in night clubs; [4781]
(3) what plans he has to undertake a review of the sale of knives and the rate of knife-related assaults. [4782]
§ Mr. MacleanMy right hon. and learned Friend has no plans to introduce legislation to require night clubs to improve security and has not discussed this with police authorities. He is currently consulting the Association of Chief Police Officers about the problem of unlawful knife-carrying, and whether the law needs changing. Night club owners may require customers to undergo a search for weapons before entering the premises.