§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what review of firearms legislation is presently being carried out by his Department; when it(a) began and (b) was announced; what are its terms of reference; what are the names and positions of those conducting the review; from whom submissions have been received to date; and from whom else submissions have been requested. [27122]
§ Mr. MacleanMy right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland announced on 21 March that they would conduct a joint review of firearms controls in Great Britain. The review began at that time and has now considered the arguments for and against the changes in the controls which have been suggested following the tragic events in Dunblane on 13 March.
In conducting their review, my right hon. and learned Friend and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland have taken account of submissions from opposition parties, comments from the Firearms consultative committee and over 2, 000 letters from Members of Parliament and the public. Comments were invited from all interested parties who are, of course, free to submit their evidence directly to Lord Cullen's inquiry.
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§ Mr. RossTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the recommendations made by the Firearms Consultative Committee in its(a) first, (b) second, (c) third, (d) fourth, (e) fifth and (f) sixth report (i) have been implemented, (ii) dealt with matters
Firearms consultative committee annual report (a) 1st (b) 2nd (c) 3rd (d) 4th (e) 5th (f) 6th Recommendations which have been implemented or which require no action 18 15 12 6 19 15 Recommendations which would require primary legislation 1 9 9 1 17 17 Recommendations which could be implemented through a change in administrative procedures 1 4 2 6 11 13 In addition, a number of the recommendations of the Firearms Consultative Committee would require secondary legislation to implement them and are not included in the table above. Some of the recommendations included in the table have been formally rejected.
It is not possible to identify separately those recommendations which deal solely with matters of public safety but, in making recommendations, the committee always consider the likely impact on public safety.
§ Mr. RossTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department at(a) directions and (b) terms of reference he has given to the Firearms Consultative Committee to review firearms legislation since 13 March; what submissions have been received and from whom; what other information has been sought and from whom; and if he will place a copy of (i) that information and (ii) the final report in the Library. [27123]
§ Mr. MacleanThe terms of reference of the Firearms Consultative Committee, as set out in section 22(5) of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988. These have not been changed since 13 March. Within its terms of reference, the Firearms Consultative Committee may consider any issues arising from the tragic events of 13 March that it considers appropriate.
I understand that the Firearms Consultative Committee has received a number of submissions from members of the public and other interested parties. Publication of any material submitted to the committee is a matter for it.
The Firearms Consultative Committee is required by section 22(6) of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 to make a report each year on its activities to the Secretary of State, who is required to lay copies of the report before Parliament. A copy of the report of the committee for this year will be placed in the Library in the usual way.