Firearms (Hansard, 3 April 2000)

§ Mr. Corbett
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the average time taken for(a) issuing and (b) renewing firearm certificates and shotgun licences in (i) Devon and Cornwall, (ii) Avon and Somerset, (iii) South Wales, (iv) Northumberland, (v) West Midlands and (vi) Cambridgeshire; and what the figures were in each of the previous five years. [117525]

Devon &Cornwall Avon & Somerset Northumbria West Midlands Cambridgeshire

Police Officers

2000 ¹27 0 ³150 2 0

1999 ²22 0 25 3 0

1998 ²22 0 25 7 0

1997 ²22 0 25 11 0

1996 ²22 0 25 12 0

1995 ²22 ²— 25 12 0

382W

§ Mr. Charles Clarke
The information is not kept centrally, but I understand from the forces concerned that the average number of weeks taken for issuing and renewing firearm certificates and shotgun licences is given in the tables.

Issue Renewal

Firearms Shotguns Firearms Shotguns

Devon and Cornwall 10-12 10-12 10-12 10-12

Avon and Somerset 6 6 8 8

South Wales 8-10 6-8 8-10 6-8

Northumbria 6-8 6-8 6-8 6-8

West Midlands 4 4 4 4

Cambridgeshire 5.2 4.2 4.6 4.1

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

Devon and Cornwall ¹— ¹— ¹— ¹— ¹—

Avon and Somerset ¹— ¹— ¹— ¹— ¹—

South Wales

Firearms grant 6-8 6-8 6-8 6-8 6-8

Firearms renewal² 6-8 6-8 6-8 ¹— ¹—

Shotgun grant 5-7 5-7 5-7 5-7 5-7

Shotgun renewal² 6-8 6-8 6-8 ¹— ¹—

Northumbria

Firearms grant 6-8 6-8 6-8 6-8 6-8

Firearms renewal³ .5 .5 .5 ¹— ¹—

Shotgun grant 6-8 6-8 6-8 6-8 6-8

Shotgun renewal³ .5 .5 .5 ¹— ¹—

West Midlands ¹— ¹— ¹— ¹— ¹—

Cambridgeshire

Firearms grant 4.4 5.4 4 3.8 4.3
Firearms renewal 3 5 3.1 ¹— ¹—
Shotgun grant 3 4.7 4.6 3.4 3.6

Shotgun renewal 1.7 3.4 2.4 ¹— ¹—

¹ Not applicable

² Renewals by post 1-3 weeks

³ Postal

Note:
Not all forces were able to provide information for the previous 5 years. There were in any event no renewals in 1998 and 1999 due to the extended life of certificates from 3-5 years.

§ Mr. Corbett
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many(a) police officers and (b) civilians are involved in the administration of firearm and shotgun controls; and what the figures were in each of the previous five years in (i) Devon and Cornwall, (ii) Avon and Somerset, (iii) Northumberland, (iv) West Midlands and (v) Cambridgeshire. [117539]

§ Mr. Charles Clarke
The information is not held centrally, but the information, obtained from the forces concerned, is given in the table.
383W

Devon & Cornwall Avon & Somerset Northumbria West Midlands Cambridgeshire

Civilians

2000 ¹47 22 8 17 9.5

1999 10 19 8 16 9.5

1998 10 19 8 13 9.5

1997 13 19 9 12 10.5

1996 13 19 9 8 10.5

1995 13 11 9 8 10.5

¹ Also deal with other non-firearms related inquiries as part of their duties.

² Supported by beat officers as needed.

³ Specifically trained to carry out firearms inquiries as well as their other duties.

	Devon &Cornwall	Avon & Somerset	Northumbria	West Midlands	Cambridgeshire
Police Officers
2000	¹27	0	³150	2	0
1999	²22	0	25	3	0
1998	²22	0	25	7	0
1997	²22	0	25	11	0
1996	²22	0	25	12	0
1995	²22	²—	25	12	0

	Issue	Renewal
	Firearms	Shotguns	Firearms	Shotguns
Devon and Cornwall	10-12	10-12	10-12	10-12
Avon and Somerset	6	6	8	8
South Wales	8-10	6-8	8-10	6-8
Northumbria	6-8	6-8	6-8	6-8
West Midlands	4	4	4	4
Cambridgeshire	5.2	4.2	4.6	4.1

	Devon & Cornwall	Avon & Somerset	Northumbria	West Midlands	Cambridgeshire
Civilians
2000	¹47	22	8	17	9.5
1999	10	19	8	16	9.5
1998	10	19	8	13	9.5
1997	13	19	9	12	10.5
1996	13	19	9	8	10.5
1995	13	11	9	8	10.5
¹ Also deal with other non-firearms related inquiries as part of their duties.
² Supported by beat officers as needed.
³ Specifically trained to carry out firearms inquiries as well as their other duties.