§ Mr. Powellasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many firearms certificates were issued in each of the last four years for sporting visits in Ulster to persons resident outside the United Kingdom; and whether he will classify the recipients according to their residence (a) in the Irish Republic; (b) in the rest of Europe and (c) in the rest of the world.
§ Mr. MoyleI regret that the information cannot be provided without disproportionate time and effort. It would require a search of 79,000 files. I understand from the Chief Constable, however, that most of the holders of Northern Ireland firearms certificates resident outside the United Kingdom come from the Irish Republic and the others mainly from Germany or France, with a few from Sweden, and the USA.