§ Lord Burtonasked Her Majesty's Government:
On what dates they have held consultative meetings on the review of firearms forms and Rules with the British Medical Association and other professional medical representative bodies, the National Farmers' Union (England and Wales), the National Farmers' Union (Scotland), the Country Landowners' Association (England and Wales), the Scottish Landowners' Federation, firearms clubs and associations, the British Deer Society, the Deer Commission for Scotland and the British Sports Association for the Disabled (BSAD), and:
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- (a) when they plan to conclude their review of firearms forms and Rules;
- (b) when it is planned to implement the proposed new forms and Rules;
WA 27 - (c) why all consultees were not sent the Home Office Working Party Note of the main issues raised at the meeting on 19 February to discuss the forms, when requesting further written submissions; and
- (d) when it is intended that there should be a meeting to discuss these matters which involve public safety.
§ Lord Williams of MostynThe arrangements made for meeting representatives of the Police Service and shooting organisations to discuss these forms are as set out in my earlier Written Answer of 7 May, (WA 87). Implementation of the new Rules and forms will take place after they have been made by the Secretary of State, probably on 1 September. The minutes of the working group meeting held on 19 February 1998 were intended solely as a record for those attending, but were reflected in the draft forms subsequently sent out for comment. No further meeting are planned.