§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what circumstances police officers are permitted to search people for concealed knives; and if he will make a statement on the measures relating to(a) detection and (b) punishment he is taking to deter knife-carrying in public. [6129]
§ Mr. MacleanUnder section I of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 an officer may search a person for a knife where he has reasonable grounds for suspecting that he will find one. In addition, under section 60, of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, an officer of superintendent rank or above may, where he reasonably believes that serious violence may occur and that it is expedient to prevent it, authorise officers to stop any pedestrian and search him for offensive weapons or dangerous instruments. Acting under the authorisation, an officer may stop and search any person he thinks fit, whether or not he has any grounds for suspecting the person is carrying weapons or articles of that kind. The authorisation applies to a specified area for a period not exceeding 24 hours. My right hon. and learned Friend supports proposals in a private Member's Bill which will increase the maximum penalty for carrying a knife in1010W his (a) Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies on newspaper advertising by title for each year since 1990–91; and what estimate he has made for 1995–96 based on expenditure to date and existing plans. [6570]
§ Mr. HowardInformation in the form requested would be available only at disproportionate cost. The table gives the aggregated expenditure of the Home Office, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies on the space bought in the national press for the period requested. For the reason stated, the figures do not include local press, or the cost of creative and production work.
public without good reason or lawful authority under section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988, from a £1,000 fine to six months' imprisonment.