HL Deb 20 April 1971 vol 317 cc522-4

2.38 p.m.

BARONESS WOOTTON OF ABINGER

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made in the review of regulations relating to shotguns and other firearms mentioned in reply to a Question on January 12, 1971.]

THE MINISTER OF STATE, HOME OFFICE (LORD WINDLESHAM)

My Lords, I can say that a good beginning has been made; but, as your Lordships will appreciate—and none better than the noble Baroness, who has made a distinguished contribution to so wide a range of such inquiries—these are not things to be done hastily, and it is too early to say when the review is likely to be completed.

BARONESS WOOTTON OF ABINGER

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that reply, may I first ask him whether, because of the use of shot-guns in so many recent serious crimes, he thinks this inquiry ought to be expedited with a view to more stringent control of these and other firearms? Secondly, pending the result of the inquiry, will the noble Lord remind chief officers of police of their power to attach conditions of safe-keeping to firearms certificates and advise them that these conditions should be used in every single instance?

LORD WINDLESHAM

My Lords, the inquiry was set up only in December of last year. It is a thorough inquiry; this is a large subject and all firearms are included. A number of papers have already been prepared and presented, and more are in the course of preparation. On the second point, I can certainly draw the comment of the noble Baroness to the attention of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary, as I did on the last occasion when she raised this subject in your Lordships' House.

LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, can the noble Lord give us any idea as to when he would expect this review to be completed?

LORD WINDLESHAM

My Lords, Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary and his colleagues who form the Working Party have received a number of written representations. They have yet to decide what evidence should be invited, and when, but consultation with outside bodies is likely to take place later in the year. It would be unrealistic to expect a report before the end of the year.

BARONESS WOOTTON OF ABINGER

My Lords, while much appreciating the Minister's answer to my second supplementary question, may I ask him whether he is satisfied with the pace of these inquiries, in view of the fact that people are being shot while the decision on part of the investigation, as to what evidence ought to be obtained, is pending?

LORD WINDLESHAM

My Lords, the inquiry is being treated urgently. As I said, this is a complicated branch of the law. There are already controls; these are being enforced by chief officers of police. What now has to be considered is whether any further change should be made in the law. This is what is receiving study.

LORD HAWKE

My Lords, do Her Majesty's Government think that any regulations and control over firearms are likely to make any difference to the use of these firearms by the criminal classes?

LORD WINDLESHAM

My Lords, a study is being made of the kinds of firearms used in the commission of crime. A preliminary analysis suggests that the number of weapons used in indictable crime in 1969 which were held lawfully on a firearms or shot-gun certificate was significant, although a small proportion of the total.