§ MR. GEORGE CLARKI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what are the provisions of the ordinary law that regulate the possession of firearms in Ireland; and whether he has any official reports from the police as to whether such provisions provide effective restrictions upon the acquisition of firearms by persons who have no legitimate use for the same.
§ MR. BIRRELLThere is no law which prohibits or regulates the possession of firearms in Ireland. In this respect Ireland is in the same case as the rest of the United Kingdom, save that the Pistols Act of 1903 does not apply to Ireland. I understand that the law as to taking out gun and game licences 89 is the same throughout the kingdom. In reply to the latter part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to my Answer to the similar Question which was put by the hon. Member for MidArmagh on the 19th instant.