§ Mr. Frank Fieldasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the change in real terms between 1979 and 1986 in (a) the cost of a firearms certificate, (b) the revenue derived from firearms certificates and (c) the cost of administering the firearms certificate system; how many certificates were issued in 1979 and in the last period of 12 months for which figures are available, respectively; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Giles Shaw[pursuant to his reply, 7 July 1986, c. 62]: The information is as follows:
(i) Cost of a firearms certificate1 1979 £ 21986 £ 3Change in real terms per cent. Issue 16 25 -9.5 Renewal 13 20 -10.9
(ii) Estimated revenue and cost of the firearms certificate system11 41979–80 £ million 51985–86 £ million 3Change in real terms per cent. Cost 1.8 2.2 -27.2 Revenue 1.1 1.5 -17.1
(iii) Firearms certificates issued1 1979 1985 Number of certificates on issue6 169,590 160,385 1 All figures are in respect of certificates issued under section 1 of the Firearms Act 1968 in England and Wales. 2 The fees given are those which apply currently. New fee levels are due to be introduced with effect from 1 October. 3 As measured by changes in the retail price index. 4 Estimated figures based on a sample survey of police forces. 5 Estimated figures based on procedures recommended in the 1984 working party report on the administration of the Firearms Act 1968. 6 In 1985 the numbers of firearm certificates issued and renewed were 11,663 and 44,212 respectively. Equivalent figures are not available for 1979.