§ Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many gun licences are held in Northern Ireland; and what is the number per head of population.
§ Mr. AlisonI refer the hon. Member to the replies I gave to the hon. Member for Londonderry (Mr. Ross) on 22 January 1981 and 13 February 1981.—[Vol. 997, c.240; Vol. 998, c. 436.] The figure of 85,379 at 31 December 1980 represented one firearm certificate per 18 of the population based on an estimated population of 1,538,800 at 30 June 1978. In Northern Ireland firearm certificates are required by law for all firearms, including shotguns and air weapons.