§ Mr. Michael McNair-WilsonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many firearms have been seized by customs officials annually over the past five years; and how many of these weapons have subsequently been claimed by their owners.
§ Mr. Peter Lilley[holding answer 20 May 1988]: The number of firearms seized by Customs during the five years 1983 to 1987 are given in the table:
Year Firearms Shotguns Other Ammunition (Rounds) 1983 1,003 5 122 7,998 1984 172 12 142 14,908 1985 263 19 245 13,069 1986 310 24 317 10,363 1987 215 3 578 11,829 Records of the number of owners subsequently claiming release of seized weapons are only kept at individual ports and airports and could not be collated centrally except at disproportionate cost.