§ 67. Mr. Turtonasked the Secretary of State for War the nature of his appeal to the public for pistols and revolvers that may be of use to members of His Majesty's Forces; what steps he is taking to give publicity to this appeal; and what has been the result of the appeal to date?
§ Mr. LawThe appeal for firearms was limited to shot guns and rifles, and there has been a good response. It is not considered that an appeal for pistols and revolvers would be likely to bring in many weapons of a character suitable for Army requirements.
§ Mr. TurtonIs my hon. Friend aware that a fortnight ago the Minister of Home Security said that an appeal was being made for revolvers, that a large number of revolvers were put away after the last war, and that if an appeal were made many officers and warrant officers could be provided with them?
§ Mr. LawI am aware of the reply to which my hon. Friend has referred. My right hon. Friend said that action was being taken, and I assume that the action he had in mind was that it was being referred to the War Office. The result of the consideration of my Department has been indicated.
§ Mr. TurtonWill the Department reconsider the matter in view of the fact that many officers and warrant officers are in need of revolvers?
§ Mr. Garro JonesIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a list of persons holding these weapons under police permits? Have they been directly approached? If there is need for these weapons, why should they not be confiscated?
§ Mr. Garro JonesThat is not an answer to my Question. Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a list of persons holding these weapons under police permits, and have they been directly approached and requested or compelled to surrender the number needed by the War Office?
§ Mr. Garro JonesWill the hon. Gentleman look up that list and find out where these weapons are, and get them, if they are necessary?
§ 68. Mr. Henderson Stewartasked the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that Members of Parliament trained in the last war to use revolvers and now serving in the Volunteer Forces are refused permits to purchase ammunition for their own revolvers; and whether he will take action to remedy this?
§ Mr. LawIf my hon. Friend will let me have particulars, I shall be very glad to look into the matter in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary.
§ Mr. CocksWhy cannot all Members of Parliament have revolvers, seeing that they will be the first persons to be shot?
76. Mr. Duncanasked the Secretary of State for War whether he will commandeer 248 all the revolvers and automatic pistols, with their ammunition, now in the hands of the police authorities, other than those required by the police themselves, and hand them over to the Service Departments for issue to the Forces?
§ Mr. LawFirearms and ammunition surrendered to the police by persons holding them without firearm certificates are, in accordance with normal practice, if not retained for police purposes, either handed over to the military authorities or destroyed. Firearms and ammunition recently taken by the police for safe custody were transferred to the military authorities, and those that are wanted for military purposes will be so used.
Mr. DuncanWill my hon. Friend ask the police authorities not to destroy any more revolvers, so that the military authorities, who are very short of revolvers, may be enabled to have them?
§ Sir Herbert WilliamsWill the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that people handing over old weapons for which they ought to have had a licence will not be prosecuted as a result of their honesty?
§ Sir H. WilliamsIn these circumstances can we have an assurance that summonses already issued will be withdrawn?