Measures to restrict the sale of knives will be announced in spring

Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson pledged to announce proposals in late spring after announcing the results of a public consultation on the matter.

But SNP justice spokesman Kenny MacAskill called on the Scottish Executive to act immediately.

The minister said measures to tackle knife crime were already in place.

Ms Jamieson said: "As part of our wide-ranging anti-violence strategy we are already taking forward measures in the police bill to address the carrying of blades.

"And in partnership with the Violence Reduction Unit have also announced plans for the first national knives amnesty to take place in the spring.

Spring announcement

"However, we also want to look very carefully at what further measures can be taken to further restrict the sale of knives and swords to stop these weapons falling into the wrong hands."

The executive floated several proposals last June, including a new licensing system for shops selling non-domestic knifes and curbs on the availability of samurai and other swords.

Ministers have yet to decide which proposals to adopt and will announce their intentions in a few months after studying responses to the consultation.

But Mr MacAskill urged the executive to act now.

"We need less consultation and more concrete action from the Labour and Lib Dem government," he said.

"We already know what the problem is, what we need now is the practical solutions.

Survey responses

"There should be no reason to debate this, we need action now against the unrestricted sale and possession of a sword, never mind a samurai sword."

An analysis of 178 of the 181 consultation responses, published on Thursday, found 57 endorsing the idea of requiring a licence to sell non-domestic knives.

A slightly smaller number, 53, disagreed while 68 respondents gave no clear answer to this question.

Among the 110 individual respondents, 19 declared an interest in martial arts and 13 were collectors.