§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated cost to police in operating the firearms licensing system in respect of each of the categories of firearms fees listed in the table in his answer of 21 July,Official Report, column 282.
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§ Mr. MacleanThe estimated costs1 for each category for the year 1993–94 are as follows:-
£ Firearm Certificate Issue 593,000 Shot Gun Certificate Issue 1,303,000 Shot Gun Certificate Renewal 3,460,000 Registered Firearm Dealer Issue of Certificate 20,000 Home Office Club Approval 21,650 1 Costs vary from year to year according to the number of certificates issued. 2 No certificates for Home Office club approval fell due for renewal during 1993–94.
§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the best practice costs detailed in the 1991 guidelines issued to chief police officers for(a) the issue and renewal of a firearm certificate, (b) the issue and renewal of a shot gun certificate, (c) the issue of a certificate to a registered firearm dealer and (d) Home Office club approval.
§ Mr. MacleanThe models of best practice for the administration of the firearms licensing system issued to chief officers of police in 1991 do not include costings.
Costings of best practice are contained in a subsequent study undertaken in 1992 by the independent consultants Ernst and Young. The costings identified, for both uniformed and civilian staff, are as follows:
Uniformed Procedure Civilian Procedure Firearm Certificate Issue 55.57 36.18 Renewal 12.12 10.23 Shot Gun Certificate Issue 44.11 28.92 Renewal 11.18 9.08 Registered Firearms Dealer Issue of Certificate 124.52 77.72 Home Office Club Approval 92.26 57.64