16th
June 2006
Justice
Minister Backs eBlade Campaign
Justice Minister, Cathy Jamieson, is
backing Duncan McNeil’s campaign to stop eBay allowing users to trade in
knives.
Speaking at Question Time in
the Scottish Parliament yesterday, the Greenock and Inverclyde MSP asked the
Minister:
“Like other members in the
chamber, I am pleased to hear about all the work that is being done to tackle
[knife crime]. Does the minister
agree that prevention is always better than cure and that, alongside the efforts
to get knives off the streets, we need to stop knives getting onto the streets
first place? Will she put pressure
on online auction sites such as eBay to ban users from trading in the terrifying
array of weaponry that budding psychopaths can buy with a few clicks of their
mouse?”
The Minister replied:
“I am very aware of the
interest that Duncan McNeil has taken in this subject and understand that he has
written to eBay. After learning of
his interest in the matter, I followed it up, and my understanding is that
although eBay does not allow the sale of numerous items, a number of
questionable items, including some knives, are still sold. Of course, eBay
should behave responsibly.”
She added:
“I wish Duncan McNeil well
in his efforts and I will continue to work with him in that regard.”
Speaking to the Telegraph
Mr McNeil said:
“It’s obviously far
easier for someone to purchase an item in an internet auction which they
couldn’t legally buy on the high street - a fact eBay recognises by
prohibiting users from selling things like alcohol.
“And, while communities
like ours campaigned hard to get the laws on the sale of blades tightened, the
tough new rules in the Criminal Justice Bill won’t do the job if thugs can get
hold of these deadly weapons on eBay, no questions asked.
“To their credit, eBay does
ban the sale of some offensive weapons. But, while it still permits the sale of the blades which are
spilling blood and ruining lives in our community and in others, they need to go
further.
“I am therefore putting
pressure on eBay UK to take action and add non-domestic knives and other bladed
weapons to their list of prohibited items and I am delighted that the Minister
is supporting me in this.”
ENDS
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