§ Lady Gammansasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in view of the increasing number of crimes of violence, involving the use of firearms, if he will consider advising the Metropolitan Police to issue an appeal for the surrender of such weapons, as was done in 1946, without a penalty during the month following the appeal.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerThe information I have received from the Commissioner of Police regarding recent crimes of violence involving the use of firearms does not indicate that it would be advantageous at present to make a special appeal of the kind made in 1946 in the exceptional circumstances which then existed following the end of the war. It is the normal practice of the Commissioner to put no obstacle in the way of any person who wishes to surrender firearms or ammunition to the police.