§ 54. Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that retailers of air guns either do not inform purchasers that licences are required for air guns or advise them that licences are not required, thus causing trouble to the local authorities who enforce the law on this subject and also increasing the possibility of these guns getting into the hands of irresponsible persons; and if he will now accede to the suggestion of the County Councils' Association that he should take steps to warn retailers and the public of the necessity for gun licences in the case of air guns.
Mr. STANLEYMy right hon. Friend has received representations from the County Councils' Association to the effect stated in the first part of the question. On the information at present before him, he is not satisfied that any general warning is necessary; but the enforcement of the requirement that a licence must be taken out is, as stated, a matter for the local authorities, and if any warning is required in particular cases it will be for them to consider how best to make the law known.
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEWill the Under-Secretary do his best to give publicity to this law, so that people may understand it?
Mr. STANLEYI was suggesting that the local authorities who get financial benefit from this law might well see to the publicity.