§ Sir J. Langford-Holtasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what conclusions he has drawn following the increase in the number of murders committed in Great Britain with the use of firearms since the abolition of capital punishment; and what proposals he has to amend the law.
§ Mr. R. CarrIt is difficult to draw useful inferences from the figures of murder by shooting before and since the abolition of capital punishment. The increasing use of firearms in all crimes of violence is a matter of serious concern to the Government. The Criminal Justice Act has increased maximum penalties for a number of the firearms offences, and I am studying the report of a review conducted by Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary of the law relating to firearms. The Criminal Law Revision Committee is considering the law relating to offences against the person, including the penalties, and pending receipt of its report I have no proposals for amending the law relating to murder.