LORD WINDLESHAMasked Her Majesty's Government:
(i) if Hanratty, recently executed for the A.6 murder, held a licence for the pistol he used; (ii) if he did not, whether it is known how he obtained possession of it; (iii) what steps, it any, are being taken to answer question (ii) above; (iv) what action has 560WA been taken or will be taken against the person or persons from whom he obtained the pistol if and when their identity is discovered.
THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (EARL BATHURST)Hanratty did not hold a firearm certificate for this weapon, and exhaustive inquiries by the police have failed to establish how or from whom he obtained it. If the person from whom he obtained it were eventually traced, suitable action would no doubt be taken by the appropriate authority if an offence were to be disclosed.
House adjourned at eighteen minutes before eight o'clock.