§ 89. Mrs. Joyce Butlerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in view of the shotgun murder of Mr. William Philo in Wood Green on 18th December, he is satisfied with the working of the Firearms Act in regard to shotguns; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. George ThomasI would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer which my right hon. and learned Friend gave to her previous Question on 4th November.
The full provisions of the Firearms Act, 1965 did not come into operation until 1st November this year, and it is too soon to assess the effect of those directed against the misuse of shotguns. Possession of a sawn-off shotgun without a firearm certificate is already illegal.