§ Mr. BoyesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his policy with regard to the imposition of a limit as to the number of part I firearms that can be held by an individual.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThere is at present no limit on the number of 'section 1' firearms that can be held by an individual certificate holder. However, the local chief officer of police must be satisfied that the certificate holder has a good reason for possessing each weapon that he wishes to acquire, and that the security arrangements are adequate for the number of weapons held. As my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary announced during the debate on firearms in the House on 26 October at columns 28–69, we are considering a number of issues relating to firearms controls in addition to the measures already announced, and we hope to make known our comprehensive proposals by the end of November.
§ Mr. Michael McNair-WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions in the past year officers of police have asked to see the firearms register of a gun dealer in the metropolitan district in accordance with section 40(4) of the Firearms Act 1968.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThis information is not recorded centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The register of a gun dealer will he examined at least annually when the dealers application for renewal of registration is under consideration.