The Earl of Haddingtonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Who they propose will carry out valuations of firearms surrendered by certified holders if the Firearms (Amendment) Bill becomes law; and
What rights of appeal will exist, and what the appeal procedures will be, for those firearms holders who dispute a valuation of a surrendered weapon under the provisions of the Firearms (Amendment) Bill.
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Blatch)The Government will draw up a set of values for the most popular makes of handgun in discussion with the British Shooting Sports Council and the Firearms Consultative Committee. People who surrender handguns under the terms of the Bill will be free to accept either a flat-rate payment, or a payment which is based upon these values.
It will be open to claimants who have other makes of gun or who are dissatisfied with the payment offered to submit their own valuation. In cases which cannot be resolved by agreement, there will be access to independent expert valuation.