HC Deb 03 February 1983 vol 36 c400
1. Mr. Farr

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the working party on firearms control will consider the desirability of extending certificate life.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. William Whitelaw)

This subject wilt not be considered by the working party, but the fees review, about which I wrote to my hon. Friend on 28 July 1982, concluded that the life of a shotgun certificate could be doubled from three to six years provided this is coupled with a requirement to notify changes of address.

Mr. Farr

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for that reply. When does he hope to introduce legislation to put that good news into effect?

Mr. Whitelaw

Certainly not in the immediate future.

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

Will the Home Secretary remind the House when last we had an amnesty for illegally held firearms? Would it not be a good idea to have another one so that we can get rid of the large numbers of illegally held firearms which encourage crimes of violence?

Mr. Whitelaw

I have no plans for such an amnesty.