HC Deb 02 June 1891 vol 353 cc1463-4
MR. LABOUCHERE

I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that the starter of certain athletic games carried on by an athletic club in Northamptonshire has been summoned before the county magistrates of Northampton for firing off a pistol with blank cartridge in the exercise of his duties, and was fined 10s., with 10s. costs, for using firearms without a licence; and on whose application the summons was taken out?

THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN,) St. George's, Hanover Square

The statement is correct. Every person who uses or carries a gun is liable to gun licence duty, but, although there is no exemption in respect of a pistol used for starting a race, the Commissioners of Inland Revenue refrain from proceedings in cases where the owner of the ground on which the race takes place is the possessor of a gun licence, and authorises the starter to use a pistol in his official capacity. In the case in question the starter had no such authority to act as starter and to use a pistol in the grounds. He was given an opportunity of paying a small fine, but, as he neglected to avail himself of it, the case was brought before the Magistrates in the usual way. The case was first brought to the notice of the local Excise officer by the police.

MR. LABOUCHERE

Am I to understand that the right hon. Gentleman intends to prosecute everybody who fires off a gun without a licence; for instance, will he prosecute every manager of a theatre where a gun is fired on the stage?

MR. GOSCHEN

I do not intend to prosecute anybody, nor did I do so in this case; the police brought the facts to the notice of the local Excise officer, and the law took its course.