§ Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland which organisations he consulted, in accordance with his statutory obligations, before preparing the Deer (Firearms) (Scotland) Order 1984; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe following organisations were consulted during the preparation of the order:
- British Deer Society
- British Field Sports Society
- British Association for Shooting and Conservation
- British Deer Farmers' Association
- Scottish Venison Dealers' Association
- National Game Dealers' Association
- Forestry Commission
- Scottish Woodland Owners' Association
- Institute of Chartered Foresters
- Timber Growers United Kingdom
- Economic Forestry Group
- Fountain Forestry Limited
- National Farmers' Union of Scotland
- Tilhill Forestry Advisory Service
- Society in Scotland for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
- Institute of Terrestrial Ecology
- Hill Farming Research Organisation
- Rowett Research Institute
- Association of Chief Police Officers (Scotland)
- Association of Scottish Police Superintendents
- Scottish Police Federation
- Scottish Landowners' Federation
- Crofters Commission
- The Guns Review
The consultation documents were also sent to the Gun Trade Association, which approached my Department after a draft of the order was laid before Parliament.
§ Mr. Ron Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland why he did not consult the Gun Trade Association in connection with the preparation of the Deer (Firearms) (Scotland) Order 1984; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe Gun Trade Association was mistakenly omitted from the original consultation, but after it had approached the Department was sent copies of the consultation documents and invited to discuss any points of difficulty. The association will be included among those initially approached in any future consultation on this subject.