HC Deb 18 July 1995 vol 263 cc1176-7W
Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 10 July,Official Report, column 468, what were the total receipts in each of the last three years received from the sale of surplus small arms, handguns and rifles. [35436]

Mr. Arbuthnot

Receipts from the sale of surplus small arms, handguns and rifles in the last three years were:

  • 1992–93: £142,500
  • 1993–94: £168,250
  • 1994–95: £200,260

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what reports he has received that surplus small arms sold by his Department have come into the possession of criminals. [35439]

Mr. Arbuthnot

I have been informed by the Chief Constable of the Ministry of Defence Police that the possession of surplus small arms by criminals, after they had been sold by the Ministry of Defence, is being investigated by the South Yorkshire police.