§ LORD MANCROFTasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will reconsider their policy in respect of the arming of security guards.
EARL BATHURSTThe decision whether a firearm certificate should be issued in a particular case rests, by Statute, with the chief officer of police for the area in which the applicant resides. If he refuses, there is a right of appeal to quarter sessions. Chief officers of police are aware that it is the view of my right honourable friend that it should rarely be necessary for a firearm to be provided for protection purposes in this country.