§ Mr. Wrightasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many certificates have been issued for each year since 1961 for firearms, divided between revolvers, rifles, pistols, and shotguns.
§ Mr. RossRecords of firearms certificates issued by chief constables in Scotland for the years before 1968, when shotguns were first made subject to certificate procedure, are not available centrally; neither is a breakdown of firearms certificates by types of weapons. The numbers of new certificates issued in 1968 and 1969 were as follows:
At the end of 1969 the number of firearms certificates in force was 177 fewer than at the end of 1968, but the number of shotgun certificates in force was 4,612 more.
New certificates issued 1968 1969 Firearm certificates 3,297 2,265 Shotgun certificates 69,971 5,198
§ Mr. Wrightasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is satisfied with the records kept by the police of shotguns; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RossLegislation to control the possession of shotguns came into force
242Wyet available, but the 1968–69 figure represented an increase of £17.3 million, or 52 per cent. over 1963–64.
for the first time in May, 1968. I am satisfied that the police are properly maintaining the records they are entitled to keep under this legislation but I am keeping the whole situation under review.