[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.
[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.