To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance she issues to businesses which sell knives and blades (a) over the internet and (b) through catalogues on compliance with the requirements of (i) section 141A of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 and (ii) the Offensive Weapons Act 1996. (232516)

[holding answer 3 November 2008]: In November 2007 the Home Office issued guidance to retailers on compliance with section 141A of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 which made it illegal from 1 October 2007 to sell knives and certain articles with a blade or point to anyone under the age of 18. The ban applies to sales over the internet and through catalogues.

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will examine the adequacy of controls on the advertising and sale of souvenir knives, blades and axes (a) over the internet and (b) through catalogues; and if she will make a statement. (232520)

[holding answer 3 November 2008]: The laws that control the advertising and sale of knives and blades apply to the internet and catalogue sales as they do to advertising and sale through any other retail outlet. The Government are committed to working with all businesses to ensure that they comply with the law and to encourage tight controls, particularly on issues like age-verification.