§ Sir Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what restrictions are placed on manufacturers' sales of sporting firearms from mainland United Kingdom to Northern Ireland. [123235]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 3 July 2003]: Under the terms of the Firearms (Removal to Northern Ireland) Order 1990, the removal of firearms or ammunition from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is prohibited unless the removal is authorised by the chief officer of police for the area from which they are to be removed and by the Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland. The Order applies only to section 1 firearms and ammunition and not to shotguns. We are presently reviewing these procedures.