HC Deb 07 March 1988 vol 129 cc73-4W
Mr. William Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list in theOfficial Report such information as is available to him as to (a) the make, (b) the type and (c) the calibre of the firearms used by terrorist organisations in Northern Ireland during the last five years.

Mr. Stanley

[holding answer 26 February 1988]: The following information can be made available:

Types of weapon used by terrorist organisations in Northern Ireland in the last five years

  • Pistols
  • Revolvers
  • Rifles
  • Heavy machine guns
  • Sub machine guns
  • General purpose machine guns
  • Shotguns

Most common calibres of the firearms used by terrorist organisations in Northern Ireland in the last five years

  1. 1. .22 LR (Long Rifle)
  2. 2. 7.65 mm
  3. 3. 9 mm Short
  4. 4. 9 mm Parabellum
  5. 5. .380
  6. 6. .38 Smith and Wesson
  7. 7. .38 Spl (Special)
  8. 8. .357 Magnum
  9. 9. .30 M1 Carbine
  10. 10. 7.62 × 39 mm
  11. 11. 7.62 NATO
  12. 12. 12 Gauge Shotgun
  13. 13. .223 (5.56 mm)

Mr. William Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many legally held(a) shotguns, (b) rifles, (c) handguns and (d) other firearms were stolen from their civilian owners in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years, where the owners were not members of the part-time Ulster Defence Regiment or Royal Ulster Constabulary Reserve; and if he has any information as to how many were stolen by paramilitary and terrorist organisations.

Mr. Stanley

[holding answer 26 February 1988]: Information in the form requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. William Ross

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons are known to have been killed in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years by persons who were using(a) a shotgun, (b) a hand gun, (c) a rifle and (d) another firearm which was legally held by the person using it, not being a member of the security forces; and of these deaths how many (i) were the victims of a relation or (ii) died during the commission of another crime.

Mr. Stanley

[holding answer 26 February 1988]: The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

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