§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the use of replica guns in perpetrating criminal activity; what plans he has to introduce measures requiring replica guns to be obviously different from real guns; and if he will make a statement. [142109]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeIn the light of police concern about the use of replica firearms in robbery and other crimes, we have recently accepted in principle the recommendations of the Home Affairs Select Committee and the Firearms Consultative Committee that there should be restrictions on the ready availability of imitation weapons and their possession in a public place. We will wish to explore carefully what further steps might be taken to control these items.