HC Deb 05 March 1981 vol 1000 c155W
Mr. Thomas Cox

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to grant an amnesty for the handing in of shotguns and other firearms.

Mr. Newens

asked the Secretary of Stale for the Home Department, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Middleton and Prestwich (Mr. Callaghan), Official Report, 16 January, column 672, why he does not intend to tighten the controls over the possession of firearms.

Mr. Mayhew

My right hon. Friend is not persuaded of the need for an amnesty. Nor is he persuaded that further controls on firearms would have a significant effect on the level of crime.

21. Mr. Cohen

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what administrative co-ordination exists between police forces to enforce the law relating to illegal possession of firearms in cases where offences have been committed by nationally organised extremist groups.

Mr. Mayhew

To ensure the proper investigation of alleged crime chief officers of police maintain the closest co-ordination between forces.