Firearms (Hansard, 31 March 1988)

§ Mr. William Ross
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to how many firearms certificates had been granted on, or prior to, 11 December 1986 by the Thames Valley police to applicants giving their good reasons as(a) probationary or (b) full membership of the Dunmore shooting centre, Abingdon.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
[holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that no firearm certificates were issued on or before the date in question to applicants giving probationary membership of the Dunmore shooting centre as their good reason for possessing a firearm. Information in respect of applicants having full membership at that time is not known.
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§ Mr. William Ross
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will place a copy of the original home approval certificate for the Dunmore shooting centre, Abingdon, and any subsequent amendments or additions to, and renewals of it in the Library;
(2) if he will (a) list and (b) place in the Library copies of all relevant documents relating to inquiries made and completed by his Department and Thames Valley or other police forces into the applications by the Dunmore shooting centre, Abingdon, for consideration for the issue, amendment, additions to, or renewals of, his Department's approval certificates;
(3) if he will (a) list and (b) place in the Library a copy of all documents submitted in the course of the applications by the Dunmore shooting centre, Abingdon to the police or his Department for the issue, amendment, addition to, or renewal of, his Department's approval certificates;
(4) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to on which date the Dunmore shooting centre, Abingdon, was first granted his Department's approval and on which subsequent dates this approval was reviewed and certificates reissued or renewed.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
[holding answer 25 February 1988]: The club in question was approved for the use of small and full-bore pistols on 16 September 1986 and approval was extended to small and full-bore rifles on 15 February 1988.
It is not the practice to place documents of this kind in the House Library.

§ Mr. William Ross
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a copy of Home Office form coded PSL 4381 Firearms 20. (Rev. 5/69) and all such amended variations since 1968 to include draft and any final copies of those forms recommended by his recent working parties.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
[holding answer 25 February 1988]: We have been unable to identify the form requested with either the Home Office stationery branch or Her Majesty's Stationery Office. If the hon. Member would care to send further details of the form requested we will look into the matter further.

§ Mr. William Ross
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will place in the Library(a) a copy of Thames Valley police form FIR 25(9/74), (b) all such previous variations of copy since 1968, (c) all amended variations of copy form since 19 August 1987 and (d) a copy of the questionnaire completed by police officers or civilians after interview of the late Michael Ryan upon receipt by Thames Valley police of his original firearms form 1 application for a firearms certificate;
(2) if he will place in the Library (a) a copy of Thames Valley police form FIR 25(9/74) and (b) a copy of the questionnaire completed by police officers or police civilian employees after interviewing the late Michael Ryan upon receipt by Thames Valley police of his firearms form 1 variations applications to his firearms certificate;
(3) if he will place a copy of the Thames Valley force's standing orders concerning the administration of the Firearms Act 1968 with dates of issue and all amendments to it, with dates, in the Library.
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§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
[holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable that the documents requested are essentially for operational use and I do not think it right to place a copy of them in the Library.

§ Mr. William Ross
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) who holds(a) the provisional and (b) full membership cards for the Dunmore shooting centre, Abingdon, issued to the late Michael Ryan; and if he will place copies in the Library;
(2) who holds the firearms certificate issued to the late Michael Ryan; and if he will place a copy in the Library;
(3) who holds the provisional membership card for the Wiltshire shooting centre issued to the late Michaal Ryan; and if he will place a copy in the Library.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
[holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that Michael Ryan's firearm certificate has never been found. It is believed that it was destroyed in the fire at his home together with his club membership card.

§ Mr. William Ross
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to how many entries were made by the late Michael Ryan in the register of users of the range facilities of the Wiltshire shooting centre;
(2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to how many visits were made by the late Michael Ryan, and on what dates, to the Wiltshire shooting centre.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
[holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that Michael Ryan attended the Wiltshire shooting club on at least 10 occasions between 13 July and 19 August 1987. Further details of the visits made are not known.

§ Mr. William Ross
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date on which the firearms form 1 variations applications were received from the late Michael Ryan and recorded at(a) local station and (b) division; and by what rank of police officer or civilian police employee;
(2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date and the ranks of police officers or civilian police employees receiving the late Michael Ryan's applications for variations of his firearms certificate at police headquarters.
(3) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the rank of police officer or civilian recording receipt of the variation fee of £20, the receipt number and date, in respect of each variation of the firearms certificate of the late Michael Ryan.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
[holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that Michael Ryan's applications for a varitation of his firearm certificate were received on 24 March 1987 and 17 July 1987 at Hungerford police station by a police sergeant who issued receipts for the variation fee paid (numbers 503378 and 508185). The applications were received at police headquarters by the assistant chief constable on 2 April 1987 and 30 July 1987.
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§ Mr. William Ross
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date and rank of all police officers or civilians(a) involved in and (b) authorising by means of signature each stage of inquiries relating to the variation applications by the late Michael Ryan on his firearms certificate; and which stages did not contain a request for a signature, rank, or date by inquiring police officers and-or civilians;
(2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date and the rank of police officers and/or civilian police employees completing the processing at (a) local station and (b) divisional level and passing the applications to vary his firearms certificate by the late Michael Ryan to force headquarters.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
[holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that Michael Ryan's first application to vary his firearm certificate was submitted by a police constable on or about 28 March 1987 to a superintendent who forwarded it on 1 April 1987. It was received by the assistant chief constable the following day for approval. His second application was submitted by a police constable to an acting inspector on or about 25 July 1987 who forwarded it on the same day to a chief inspector. The application was received on 30 July 1987 by the assistant chief constable for approval.

§ Mr. William Ross
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date and ranks of police officers or civilian police employees completing the checks with special branch for the variations to the firearms certificate of the late Michael Ryan;
(2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date and the ranks of police officers or civilians completing the checks with special branch for the original grant of a firearms certificate for the late Michael Ryan.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
[holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that no checks other than those made with the criminal records office were made.

§ Mr. William Ross
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to on which dates and by what rank of police officer or civilian police employee the late Michael Ryan was advised concerning storage security arrangements upon applications for variations to his firearms certificate;
(2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to on which dates and which rank of police officers or civilian police employees inspected the storage and security arrangements at the house of the late Michael Ryan upon applications for variations to his firearms certificate;
(3) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the dates and ranks of police officers or civilians first recording the information regarding the possession by the late Michael Ryan of a firearms security cabinet;
(4) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to what ranks of 692W police officers or civilians inspected the storage and security arrangements at the house of the late Michael Ryan; and on which date each visit took place;
(5) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to on what date arid by what rank of police officer or civilian acting for the police the late Michael Ryan was advised concerning storage security arrangements and obtaining a security cabinet.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
[holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that a police constable visited Michael Ryan's house on 30 November 1986 to inspect his storage and security arrangements in respect of his application for a firearm certificate. Further inspections were carried out on 28 March 1987 and 25 July 1987 by a police officer of the same rank in respect of applications made to vary the original certificate. A survey was also carried out by a police constable from the community liaison department as a crime prevention officer.

§ Mr. William Ross
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to date on which the late Michael Ryan signed and dated his original firearms form 1 application for a firearms certificate; and if he will place a copy of it in the Library;
(2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date on which the late Michael Ryan signed and dated his firearms form 1 application for variations of his firearms certificate; and if he will place copies of it in the Library.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
[holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that the dates on which Michael Ryan signed his original application form and applications for a variation of a firearm certificate were 23 November 1986, 23 March 1987 and 14 July 1987 respectively.
The requested documents are essentially for police operational use, and I do not think it right to place them in the Library.

§ Mr. William Ross
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date and the ranks of police officers or civilian police employees completing the checks with the criminal records office for the variations to the firearms certificate of the late Michael Ryan;
(2) If he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date completed and ranks of police officers or civilians completing the checks with the criminal records office for the original grant of a firearms certificate for the late Michael Ryan.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
[holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police detailed records of checks made with the Criminal Record Office are not kept.

§ Mr. William Ross
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date on which the late Michael Ryan was granted provisional membership of the Wiltshire shooting centre; by whom; after what assessment; and by what procedure:
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(2) If he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date on which the late Michael Ryan made written application for membership of the Wiltshire shooting centre;
(3) If he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date on which the late Michael Ryan's application was received by the Wiltshire shooting centre; and by whom.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
[holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that Michael Ryan joined the club in question on 13 July 1987 but that further details of his application for membership are not known.

§ Mr. William Ross
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date procedure used and ranks of police officers or civilians involved in the checks to verify the late Michael Ryan's(a) provisional and (b) full membership of the Dunmore shooting centre, Abingdon; and with whom they have been verified by the police at the club and on behalf of that club;
(2) If he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the dates, procedures used and ranks of police officers or civilian police employees involved in the checks to verify the late Michael Ryan's (a) provisional and (b) full membership of the Dunmore shooting centre, Abingdon; and with whom they had been varified at the clubs, upon his application for variation to his firearms certificate;
(3) If he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the dates and ranks of police officers and-or civilians involved in the checks to verify the late Michael Ryan's provisional membership of the Wiltshire shooting centre; and with whom they had been verified at the club, upon his application for variations to his firearms cerficate.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
[holding answer 25 February 1988] : I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that it is common practice for reporting officers to telephone club secretaries to confirm membership of a club and to discuss an application with the secretary. Available police records indicate that the secretaries of both clubs in question were contacted but not the dates on which inquiries were made.

§ Mr. William Ross
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to on what dates police officers or civilians acting for the police discussed the application for the original grant of a firearms certificate with the late Michael Ryan;
(2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to on which dates police officers or civilian police employees discussed the applications for variations of his firearms certificate with the late Michael Ryan.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
[holding answer 25 February 19881: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that interviews with Michael Ryan about his applications for the grant and variation of a firearm certificate took place on 30 November 1986, 28 March 1987 and on or about 25 July 1987.
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§ Mr. William Ross
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the good reasons written by the late Michael Ryan on his firearms form 1 variations applications for each firearm, requested in his applications for variations of his firearms certificate;
(2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the good reason written by the late Michael Ryan on his original firearms form I for each firearm, requested in his application for a firearms certificate.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
[holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that the good reason given by Michael Ryan on his firearm application and renewal forms was target shooting on approved ranges.

§ Mr. William Ross
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to how many Thames Valley police officers were involved in giving any form of instruction or guidance in(a) the use of firearms or (b) related matters, to the late Michael Ryan, giving ranks and dates.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
[holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that this information is not available.

§ Mr. William Ross
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to what procedures or requirements have been amended by the Wiltshire shooting centre in respect of applications for membership since 19 August 1987.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
[holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that inquiries made of the Wiltshire police indicate that no changes in the rules regarding membership of the Wiltshire shooting centre have been made since the date in question.

§ Mr. William Ross
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date on which the late Michael Ryan was granted provisional membership of the Dunmore shooting centre, Abingdon; by whom; what assessment was made; and by what procedure;
(2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date on which the late Michael Ryan was granted full membership of Dunmore shooting centre, Abingdon; by whom; what assessment was made; and by what procedure;
(3) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date on which the late Michael Ryan made written application for membership of the Dunmore shooting centre, Abingdon;
(4) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date on which the late Michael Ryan's application for membership of the Dunmore shooting centre, Abingdon was received; and by whom.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
[holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that Michael Ryan's applications for 695W provisional arid full membership of the club in question were granted by its manager on August bank holiday 1986 and 8 December 1986 respectively. Details relating to the consideration given to these applications is not known. Nor is it known whether the applications were made in writing.

§ Mr. William Ross
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the date

Date of purchase or date of notification where date of sale not known Make or model of firearm Date of sale or transfer Firearm dealer

23 December 1986 Beretta 9 mm pistol — Dunmore shooting centre

8 January 1987 Smith and Wesson .38 pistol 2 May 1987 Dunmore shooting centre

6 May 1987 Bernadelli .22 pistol — Dunmore shooting centre

3 May 1987 CZ 32 pistol — Sportique

6 August 1987 7.762 Kalashnikov rifle — Westbury Guns

8 August 1987 .30 Underwood rifle — Wiltshire shooting centre

I further understand that Michael Ryan was authorised to possess, at any one time, 500 rounds of each calibre, but restricted to acquiring only 200 rounds at any one time of each calibre. Information relating to the amount of ammunition he purchased is not known as this is recorded on the firearm certificate presumed destroyed at the fire at his home.

§ Mr. William Ross
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to how many entries were made by the late Michael Ryan in the register of users of the range facilities of the Dunmore shooting centre;
(2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to how many visits were made, and on what dates, by the late Michael Ryan to the Dunmore shooting centre, Abingdon.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
[holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that range records for the club in question show Michael Ryan attended the range facilities on the following dates:

29 September 1986

6 October 1986

8 October 1986

17 October 1986

20 October 1986

21 October 1986

11 November 1986

18 November 1986

20 November 1986

25 November 1986

28 November 1986

1 December 1986

10 December 1986

6 January 1987

21 January 1987

7 February 1987

16 February 1987

23 February 1987

24 February 1987

5 March 1987

9 April 1987

§ Mr. William Ross
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to what
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of purchase, sale or transfer by the late Michael Ryan of all firearms, giving the make and model and quantity of each calibre of ammunition in each case and the names of all firearms dealers involved.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
[holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that details of Michael Ryan's firearm transactions are as follows:
procedures or requirements have been amended by the Dunmore shooting centre, Abingdon, in respect of applications for membership since 19 August 1987.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
[holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that since September 1987 the club in question requires a minimum period of six months probation before full membership may be conferred.

§ Mr. William Ross
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to the dates and ranks of all police officers or civilians(a) involved in and (b) authorising by means of signature each stage of inquiries relating to the original grant of the application by the late Michael Ryan of a firearms certificate; and which stages did not contain a request for a signature, rank, or date by inquiring police officers;
(2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police as to the ranks of police officers or civilians completing inquiries at (a) local station and (b) divisional level into the application by the late Michael Ryan for the original grant of a firearms certificate;
(3) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police as to the date on which completed, and rank of police officers or civilians completing the processing at (a) local station and (b) divisional level and passing the original application for a firearms certificate by the late Michael Ryan to force headquarters.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
[holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that Michael Ryan's application for a firearms certificate was submitted by a police constable on or after 30 November 1986 to a chief inspector and that it was received by the assistant chief constable on 10 December 1986 for approval.

§ Mr. William Ross
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to how many Thames Valley police officers were members of the Dunmore shooting centre, Abingdon, on the date the late Michael Ryan applied for membership;
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(2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to how many Thames Valley police officers are currently members of the Dunmore shooting centre, Abingdon;
(3) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police force as to how many Thames Valley police officers were members of the Dunmore shooting centre, Abingdon, on 19 August 1987.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
[holding answer 25 February 1988]: I understand from the chief constable of the Thames Valley police that the information requested is not known.

Date of purchase or date of notification where date of sale not known	Make or model of firearm	Date of sale or transfer	Firearm dealer
23 December 1986	Beretta 9 mm pistol	—	Dunmore shooting centre
8 January 1987	Smith and Wesson .38 pistol	2 May 1987	Dunmore shooting centre
6 May 1987	Bernadelli .22 pistol	—	Dunmore shooting centre
3 May 1987	CZ 32 pistol	—	Sportique
6 August 1987	7.762 Kalashnikov rifle	—	Westbury Guns
8 August 1987	.30 Underwood rifle	—	Wiltshire shooting centre