§ 27. Mr. Robertsonasked the Home Secretary whether he will consider prohibiting the sale of 12-bore guns and ammunition throughout the country?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Peake)My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War recently issued to the public an appeal for the loan of shotguns, to which there has been a good response. There would not appear to be any need at present for action such as my hon. Friend suggests.
§ Mr. RobertsonIs it not a fact that General Sir Edmund Ironside, addressing Local Defence Volunteers on 5th June, stated that for Metropolitan defence 12-bore shotguns are more efficient than high velocity rifles and also more efficient for woodland defence? Having regard to the enemies of Britain who are here, should not the sale of these guns and ammunition be prohibited?
§ Mr. LawThe mere prohibition of the sale of these guns would not contribute very greatly to the object my hon. Friend has in view. We have also to consider the interests of agriculture, and of keeping down vermin of all kinds throughout the country.
§ Mr. Garro JonesHaving regard to the greatly increased value of these guns in modern warfare, will the hon. Gentleman not consider bringing them under a system of registration, so that the Government shall know where to put their hands on hundreds of thousands of these guns now held throughout the country?
§ Mr. LipsonWill the Minister represent to the Secretary of State for War whether it is desirable in the interests of national security to have guns exposed for sale in these days?