§ Mr. Norman Hoggasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will initiate an amnesty for offensive weapons, including air guns; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Allan StewartThe purpose of an amnesty is to permit for a defined period the surrender, without prosecution, of weapons that are held illegally. An amnesty would not be appropriate to those airguns and other weapons or articles which it is legal to possess without the need for a licence, and I do not at present consider that one would be justified for other firearms.