§ 28. Mr. Speirasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has vet concluded his consultations with the Secretary of State for Scotland, regarding the desirability of instituting an amnesty for the surrender of firearms; and whether he has any other special proposals to make for restoring law and order and combating crimes of violence.
§ Mr. RentonMy right hon. Friend is not yet in a position to make a statement on this subject. As regards the second part of the Question, the Government are doing all they can, by the strengthening of the police service and in many other ways, to deal with the incidence of crime. My right hon. Friend will be glad to consider any particular points my hon. Friend may have in mind.
§ Mr. SpeirDoes my hon. and learned Friend realise that that is not a very satisfactory Answer? Is it not a fact that in pre-war days a number of amnesties were held from time to time, but that there has not been an amnesty held since 1946, on which occasion no less than 76,000 weapons were handed in? Is it not time for another amnesty, with teeth in it—an amnesty which would be followed by legislation being introduced to increase the penalty? At present the maximum penalty is three months' imprisonment for possessing a firearm without a licence.
§ Mr. RentonAs I have said, my right hon. Friend is considering the question of an amnesty. Indeed, I hope that it will not be long before he is in a position to say something further about it. As for legislation, I should like to consider that possibility.