§ 33. Mr. JOELasked the Home Secretary if he can now make any statement regarding the results of the appeals made to the public by the different, Chief Constables with a view to reducing the number of firearms in private ownership?
§ Mr. HACKINGAs my hon. Friend was informed on the 4th May, my right hon. Friend asked all Chief Constables in England and Wales to furnish returns showing the numbers of firearms surrendered during the period from the 12th April to the 31st May as the result of the appeal made to the public to surrender surplus firearms. These returns have now been analysed and show a very satisfactory response. The total number of firearms surrendered by the public was 16,409, of which 12,622 were pistols and revolvers, 3,706 were rifles, 73 were antique firearms, and eight were unclassified in the returns. In addition, 25,891 rounds of ammunition were surrendered, together with 90 shells, grenades and bombs.