Written question asked by Baroness Tonge (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 8 January 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 16 January 2001. It was answered by Charles Clarke (Labour) on Tuesday, 16 January 2001 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if he will introduce measures to forbid the sale to juveniles of (a) glues, (b) spray paints and (c) knives.

Answer: Dr. Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce measures to forbid the sale to juveniles of (a) glues, (b) spray paints and (c) knives. [144751] Mr. Charles Clarke: It is an offence under the Intoxicating Substances (Supply) Act 1985 to supply a substance to someone under the age of 18 knowing or believing that the substance, or its fumes, are likely to be inhaled for the purposes of intoxication. Under the 1996 Offensive Weapons Act, it is an offence to sell a knife to a person under the age of 16 years. There are no plans at present to restrict the sale of spray paints to juveniles; this would penalise young people who have a legitimate reason for their purchase. The police have the power to arrest anyone whom they reasonably suspect has committed or is about to commit an offence of criminal damage such as graffiti spraying.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 361 c206W; 144751
Session: 2000-01
Subjects: Children Alcoholic drinks Graffiti Offensive weapons Paint Young people Solvents
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk