HC Deb 03 May 1978 vol 949 cc121-2W
Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with consultation arrangements so far as matters relating to firearms certificate fees are concerned; if he will list those bodies with whom he consulted prior to the order raising fees being laid; and what notice they and others were given before the order was laid.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to a Question by the hon. Member for Woking (Mr. Onslow) on 13th March 1978.—[Vol. 946, c.2.]

Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to be able to announce arrangements to combine renewal inquiries for firearm and shotgun certificates; and what legislation prevents such a combination from being introduced.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

Section 26(3) of the Firearms Act 1968 provides that firearm and shot-gun certificates shall be valid for three years or such shorter period as may be prescribed by the Secretary of State. There is no power to issue certificates valid for a different period. Inquiries in relation to both types of certificate can therefore only be combined in those few cases where applications are made at the same time. I am considering whether any steps might be taken to enable a person who holds both types of certificate to renew them on the same date.

Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will publish information of the fee charged for the grant of a firearm certificate in 1968 and at present; and if he will list the total number of fees which are set by his Department showing those occasions when the fee between 1968 and the present increased by an amount equal to the increase in the fee charged for the grant of a firearm certificate.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

The fee for the grant of a firearm certificate in 1968 was £0.25. The present fee is £16.

There has been no similar increase in any other fee set by my Department.

Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what basis the cost of inquiries concerned with the granting of a firearm certificate are reached; if he issued guidance on this matter to police authorities; and if he will place a copy of such guidance in the Library.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

The police were asked to ensure that their estimates of the cost of dealing with successful applications reflected all properly attributable costs, including the costs of police time, office accommodation, common services, items such as stationery, printing and postage and, where appropriate, computer time. A copy of the letter, dated 10th June 1977, in which this guidance was given, has been placed in the Library.