§ 18. Mr. Dyeasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the comments of the Dereham district coroner regarding the law concerning the possession and use of firearms by children; and if he will introduce legislation to meet this point.
§ Mr. DeedesMy right hon. and gallant Friend has seen the comments of the coroner. The existing law, which prohibits the purchase or hire of shot guns by persons under 17 but imposes no other restrictions on their possession or use, is based on the Report submitted in 1934 by a Departmental Committee. My right hon. and gallant Friend has considered carefully the coroner's comments and the circumstances of the case which prompted them, but on his present information he does not consider that there are adequate grounds so far as the number of accidents from this cause is concerned for departing from the policy recommended by the Committee, and approved by Parliament.
§ Mr. DyeWhile thanking the Minister for that reply, may I ask whether he is not concerned with the number of accidents in the use of firearms by children? They are happening practically every week. Ought not the regulations governing the matter be tightened up?
§ Mr. DeedesThe total number of fatal accidents in England and Wales caused by firearms and explosives in 1954, the last year for which figures are available, was 87, of which 15 were to children under the age of 15. It has been the view of successive Governments that the 1158 responsibility for deciding if at all and on what conditions children should handle weapons must remain with the parents. Legislation would not meet the purpose.