HC Deb 21 July 1982 vol 28 cc193-4W
Mr. William Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table in the Official Report showing how many (a) shotguns, (b) rifles and (c) handguns are legally held in Northern Ireland and indicate how many firearms certificates are at present held in Northern Ireland; how many are due for renewal in the current or financial year and how many were renewed in each of the previous five years.

Mr. John Patten

[pursuant to his reply, 20 July 1982, c. 118]: The number of weapons held legally under firearms certificates in Northern Ireland is as follows:

Number
(a) Shotguns 76,803
(b) Rifles 13,747
(c) Handguns 10,234

A total of 83,695 firearm certificates were in force at 30 June 1982 and 20,250 are due for renewal in 1982.

The numbers of firearm certificates renewed in each of the five previous years were as follows:

Number
1981 29,704
1980 14,201
1979 19,121
1978 28,710
1977 13,065

Mr. William Ross

asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table in the Official Report showing the fee for a (a) new firearms certificate, (b) renewal of a firearms certificate, (c) variation of a firearms certificate.

Mr. John Patten

[pursuant to his reply, 20 July 1982, c. 118]: The information is as follows:

£
Grant of a firearm certificate 21.00
Renewal of a firearm certificate 13.25
Variation of a firearm certificate *13.25
* Payable only when:
(i) the number of firearms to which the certificate relates is increased; or
(ii) a firearm (other than a shotgun or air weapon) of a higher calibre or different type is substituted.

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