§ Mr. Conwayasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied with the criteria by which chief constables issue licences under the Firearms Act 1968; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe Firearms Act 1968 itself sets out the considerations which a chief officer of police is required to take into account before issuing a firearms certificate, and we have no plans at present to bring forward amending legislation. The administration of the Act has been reviewed by a working party which reported in April 1984 and recommended standardised procedures for adoption by all forces. The report of the working party 301W was circulated to chief officers of police under cover of Home Office circular No. 47/1984, a copy of which is in the Library of the House.