§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he is satisfied with the security of Argentine 304W firearms brought back from the Falkland Islands now kept on military property; and whether any such firearms are in the possession of individual soldiers.
§ Mr. StanleyI am satisfied that ex-Argentine firearms kept on military property would, if still serviceable, be kept in a proper armoury. All firearms released by the Ministry of Defence to museums including those on Ministry of Defence premises, would automatically be first rendered unusable with live ammunition. I understand that a number of Service men brought back ex-Argentine firearms from the Falklands. We believe that most of these firearms have been handed in. Any Service man retaining such a weapon would require a firearms certificate.