§ Mr. Speirasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the ease of obtaining revolvers and other firearms and the increasing use made of them by criminals, he will take steps to arrange an amnesty for the surrender of firearms by a given date, and to provide heavier penalties for those convicted of their illegal possession thereafter.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerWhile the information in my possession does not altogether bear out the premises of my hon. Friend's Question, I am considering, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether any useful purpose would be served by a new appeal to the public to surrender unnecessary or unauthorised firearms.
I am not satisfied that the maximum penalties for the unlawful possession of firearms call for revision at the present time.