§ Mr. GaleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter sent to him by the hon. Member for North Thanet on 19 October; if he will state the rights of appeal against his Department's interpretation of his July 1997 guidelines relating to the firearms compensation scheme; if he will define ancillary equipment; and if he will make a statement. [62499]
§ Mr. BoatengA reply will be sent shortly. Ancillary equipment qualifying for compensation under the firearms compensation scheme is defined in the scheme as equipment used in connection with prohibited large-calibre handguns which has no practicable use with a non-prohibited firearm and which is specified in Annex C of the scheme. The Firearms Compensation Section guidance note of July 1997 explains why certain types of tools, equipment and shooting accessories are excluded from the scheme by this definition. It is open to claimants to explain why the items they have surrendered ought to qualify for compensation, and all such representations are carefully considered. However, where items are outside the scope of the scheme, no compensation can be paid on them.
22WThe information given in the table is published in successive volumes of "Prison Statistics England and Wales" (tables 1.12, 3.8 and 4.5 of the 1997 edition, Cm 4017), copies of which are available in the Library.