§ Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many persons were murdered by firearms in Scotland in each of the last two years, or financial years if more convenient, to the latest available date; and, of these murders, how many were committed during armed robberies and what were the weapons used in each case.
§ Mr. RifkindDuring 1979, the latest year for which data are available, no persons were murdered by means of firearms. The one murder in 1978 in which the victim was shot was not committed during an armed robbery.
§ Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many robberies were committed in Scotland in each of the last two years or financial years if more convenient, to the latest available date, by persons armed with (a) handguns, (b) shotguns and (c) other firearms; and of the persons apprehended for these crimes, how many held firearms certificates for (i) the weapons concerned and (ii) any other firearm.
§ Mr. RifkindThe numbers of armed robberies committed in Scotland in the two latest years for which data are available are given in the following table:
Robberies involving firearms, 1978 and 1979 Number Firearm involved 1978 1979 Handgun 7 14 Shotgun 10 17 Other firearms 45 56 — — Total 62 87 Information on whether any of the persons apprehended for these crimes held firearms certificates is not available.
§ Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has any plans to increase the fees for firearms certificates in Scotland in the current year.
§ Mr. RifkindA review of the basis of calculation of firearms fees should be completed in the spring, when the level of fees will be considered.