§ Mr. McCuskerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many private individuals in the Province have been issued with personal protection weapons by the Royal Ulster Constabulary;
(2) if he will ensure that a charge is made in all cases for the issue of personal protection weapons by the Royal Ulster Constabulary.
§ Mr. John PattenIt is not the current policy of the Royal Ulster Constabulary to issue personal protection 389W weapons other than to policemen, and therefore the question of making a charge does not arise. A small number of personal protection weapons were issued in the past without charge to persons outside the police force. It would not he in the public interest to give more specific information. All private individuals in possession of a firearm must hold a valid firearm certificate, for which a charge is made.
Queen's University of Belfast
New University of Ulster
Ulster Polytechnic Stranmillis College St. Mary' s College 1971–72 640 269 301 315 186 1972–73 625 230 371 325 196 1973–74 665 265 441 331 200 1974–75 692 308 482 340 203 1975–76 801 312 646 269 170 1976–77 740 300 750 252 153 1977–78 706 293 720 181 109 1978–79 704 276 771 178 110 1979–80 817 350 832 177 113 1980–81 803 323 842 115 88 Information on the social class of the families of students in higher education is not available and could be compiled only at disproportionate cost.