§ Mr. ToddTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library the advice he received on the feasibility of converting self-contained gas cartridge weapons to use conventional ammunition. [175482]
§ Caroline FlintWe do not think it right to do so, thus making more widely available details of the methods of conversion identified so far. The Forensic Science Service identified a number of different ways in which such revolvers and pistols were used with ammunition other than air cartridges. These varied considerably in their effectiveness and ease of conversion and with one exception were not specific to one particular model. Having discussed the problem with the manufacturers of the air cartridge system and an independent engineer it was concluded that the main problem was with the air cartridge system itself which could not be modified to remove the danger.