§ 13. Miss Quennellasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many gun licences have been granted, of all sorts, in the past 12 months to the nearest convenient date; and how this compares with those issued five, three and seven years ago, respectively.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsAs has been explained to the hon. Member by letter, gun licences have not been required since 13th December, 1966, although, of course, shotgun certificates have been required since May of last year. Statistics for earlier years are to be found in the OFFICIAL REPORT for 21st October, 1968.—[Vol. 770, cc. 221–2.]
§ Miss QuennellFirst, I should like to express my gratitude to the Home Department for its co-operation in this matter.
Second, in view of the number of firearms which appear to be used in violent crime now, does not the hon. Lady think that we should look at the legislation that was put on the Statute Book recently to see whether it is having the effect for which we all hoped?
§ Mrs. WilliamsAs the hon. Lady will know, the intention of the Firearms Act was to control more closely the possibility of possession of firearms. Since the Act came into force on 1st May, 1968, 600,000 certificates have been issued by chief officers of police in England and Wales. We will review the situation, but I am sure that the hon. Lady appreciates it is a little early to do so now.