§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish a table in theOfficial 13W Report to show how many (a) shotguns, (b) hand-guns and (c) air- and gas-powered weapons legally held in Northern Ireland are held for (i) sporting purposes, (ii) possession only and (iii) personal protection, or as much of such information as is available to him for each year since 1976 to the latest available date.
§ Mr. Ian Stewart[holding answer 23 March 1989]: The approval for the holding of firearms for particular purposes is a matter for the chief constable, and it is not the practice to disclose details.