§ 19. Ms. Primaroloasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will change the onus of proof for the possession of firearms in the same way that he proposes for the carrying and possession of knives and other offensive weapons.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggAs my right hon. Friend said in the: debate on firearms in the House on 26 October, at columns 28 to 69, the burden of proof on the carrying of firearms in a public place already falls on the individual concerned. Section 19 of the Firearms Act 1968 makes it an offence for any person, without lawful authority or reasonable excuse (the proof whereof lies on him), to have with him in a public place a loaded shotgun or loaded air weapon, or any other firearm (whether loaded or not) together with ammunition suitable for use in that firearm. To be in possession of firearms an individual must satisfy the requirements for the issue of a certificate.
§ 20. Mr. Grahamasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further discussions he has had with the Police Federation regarding the tightening of controls over the ownership and use of firearms.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe have not discussed this matter recently with the Police Federation but my right hon. Friend is very much aware of their views.
§ 28. Mr. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he intends to bring shotguns within the scope of his proposals on the ownership and use of firearms.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggMy right hon. Friend has already announced that we intend to bring self-loading and pump 817W action shotguns under the same controls as rifles and handguns. We also intend to impose a statutory obligation on shotgun certificate holders to store their weapons securely when they are not being used.
§ 29. Mr. Fallonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what response he has received to his proposals for the reform of gun controls.
§ 33. Mr. O'Brienasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what response he has had to his proposals to tighten controls over the ownership and use of firearms.
§ 61. Mr. Yeoasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received regarding reform of the gun control laws.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggI refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave earlier to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Solihull (Mr. Taylor).
§ 31. Mr. Leighasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to consult those representing rural interests before introducing new firearms legislation; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe recognise the important role that shooting plays in rural communities, both as a sport and, for many people, as a necessary means of vermin control. We have written to a number of organisations representing rural interests to request their views on our proposals. These include the National Farmers Union, the Countryside Commission, the Council for the Protection of Rural England, the Association of County Councils, the Association of District Councils and the British Deer Society.
§ 34. Mr. Illsleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in order to encourage co-operation from firearms users, any future firearms legislation will include proposals to compensate those owners whose firearms would thereby be rendered illegal.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThis is one of the matters currently under consideration.
§ 40. Mr. Alex Carlileasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many firearm certificates were issued in each of the years 1984, 1985 and 1986; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggIn 1986, 12,074 new firearm certificates were issued in England and Wales, compared with 11,663 in 1985 and 11,413 in 1984. The table shows, by police force area, the number of certificates on issue and the number of dealers registered at 31 December 1986. More detailed figures on the issue of firearm and shotgun certificates will be published shortly in a Home Office statistical bulletin.
818W
Table Firearm and shotgun certificates on issue and firearms dealers registered at 31 December 1986, by police force area England and Wales Force Number of certificates on issue Number of dealers registered Firearm Shotgun Avon and Somerset 6,159 30,160 79 Bedfordshire 1,410 9,479 21 Cambridgeshire 3,075 19,311 42
Force Number of certificates on issue Number of dealers registered Firearm Shotgun Cheshire 2,689 17,708 31 Cleveland 900 3,766 10 Cumbria 4,248 15,180 36 Derbyshire 2,389 16,893 40 Devon and Cornwall 9,560 47,471 111 Dorset 2,902 15,022 40 Durham 2,355 8,543 17 Essex 5,205 27,063 110 Gloucestershire 2,836 15,447 47 Greater Manchester 2,623 14,314 44 Hampshire 5,828 30,115 67 Hertfordshire 1,897 13,912 43 Humberside 4,858 15,235 50 Kent 7,428 31,060 97 Lancashire 3,530 18,732 61 Leicestershire 2,124 15,791 50 Lincolnshire 4,644 23,185 54 London, City of 59 68 6 Merseyside 2,064 6,257 25 Metropolitan 9,084 41,814 287 Norfolk 3,912 30,335 44 Northamptonshire 2,403 12,656 33 Northumbria 7,023 14,417 42 North Yorkshire 6,398 24,154 58 Nottinghamshire 1,963 14,856 38 South Yorkshire 1,718 11,460 18 Staffordshire 3,316 19,152 51 Suffolk 3,968 23,016 55 Surrey 2,723 15,623 72 Sussex 6,097 29,759 100 Thames Valley 7,199 33,284 138 Warwickshire 1,655 12,390 42 West Mercia 5,225 38,038 100 West Midlands 2,760 15,997 99 West Yorkshire 3,589 16,580 86 Wiltshire 2,765 14,383 41 Dyfed Powys 4,255 28,160 51 Gwent 852 10,213 15 North Wales 2,495 21,250 33 South Wales 2,102 18,702 39 Total 160,285 840,951 2,523
§ 54. Mr. Dykesasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will summarise the principal conclusions he has drawn from the representation of gun clubs so far received in the preparation for new firearms control legislation.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe consensus of opinion expressed by the gun clubs is against most of the proposals we have announced. We believe that, whilst the interest of legitimate shooters must be taken into account, a substantial shift in the balance of firearms law is necessary to meet the needs of public safety.
§ Sir John Farrasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to introduce a Firearms Bill.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggAs my right hon. Friend indicated during the recent debate on firearms controls—26 October 1987, columns 28–69—we hope to be able to announce a comprehensive package of measures on firearm controls by the end of November with a view to introducing a Bill before Christmas.