§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will give details of the number of private firearms certificates currently issued in Northern Ireland together with such informatiom as he has regarding the distribution of such certificates between nationalist and loyalist communities; and if he will state the number of certificates held by members of the Ulster Defence Regiment, and its Reserve, and the Royal Ulster Constabulary, and its Reserve.
§ Mr. ScottOn 31 December 1985, 88,340 firearms certificates were on issue to persons in Northern Ireland. Information on the political affiliation of holders of firearms certificates is not kept. Information about the total number of private firearms certificates held by members of the Ulster Defence Regiment and the Royal Ulster Constabulary reserve is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.