Written question asked by Jim Cunningham (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 January 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 3 February 2004. It was answered by Hazel Blears (Labour) on Tuesday, 3 February 2004 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what efforts are being made to ensure that children under the age of 16 do not (a) buy and (b) carry knives. - (Holding answer 27 January 2004).

Answer: Mr. Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what efforts are being made to ensure that children under the age of 16 do not (a) buy and (b) carry knives. [150956] Ms Blears: [holding answer 27 January 2004]: Section 141A of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 makes it an offence to sell a knife or other article with blade or point to persons under 16 years of age. Under Section 139 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 it is an offence of having an article with a blade or point in a public place without good reason or lawful excuse. An exemption applies to folding pocket knives with a blade of less than three inches. The Government supports operations by the Police and Trading Standards Officers to enforce this legislation.

Secondary information