HC Deb 03 November 1998 vol 318 c499W
Mr. Letwin

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to increase the shotgun licence fee. [58266]

Mr. Boateng

The Government have made it clear that they intend to review the fees charged for firearm and shotgun certificates in due course to see if any changes might be made to the current arrangements. Fees have always been set at a level that covers the cost of administration, and the Government have no intention of raising these to punitive levels.

Following the Dunblane tragedy, and the subsequent legislation, there has been a rise in the amount of work that the police are required to carry out in administering the licensing system. On this basis, it is only proper and realistic for us to look again at fee levels.