HC Deb 03 July 1979 vol 969 cc509-10W
Mr. Ford

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied that there is sufficient exchange of information and co-ordinated research between the competent authorities of the member countries of the Council of Europe to ascertain the extent of the movement of illegal arms, some of which are subsequently found to have been used in any of these countries in the pursuit of crime or terrorist activities.

Mr. Whitelaw

Information on this subject is necessarily limited, but I am not convinced that a co-ordinated programme of research would be justified.

Mr. Ford

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will arrange for a study to be undertaken to investigate the number of cases, over the past five years, in member countries of the Council of Europe where it has been ascertained by the competent authorities that firearms, purchased legitimately, or stolen, in the United Kingdom have been subsequently identified as having been used in crime or for terrorist activties in any of these countries.

Mr. Whitelaw

No. I do not think the expense would be justified.

Mr. Ford

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what statistical evidence is offered in support of the measures proposed in the Council of Europe document addendum III of CDPC (78) 10 rev.—project de resolution sur l'har-monisation des legislations nationales concernant les armes a feu—to achieve the objectives stated in the convention of which this annexe is to be part.

Mr. Whitelaw

This is a classified Council of Europe working paper on which I cannot comment. It is not intended to form part of the convention.