§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many additional appointments are being made of(a) civilian, and (b) police staff to deal with shotgun licence and firearm certificate applications following the enactment of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe Firearms (Amendment) Act received Royal Assent on 15 November 1988, but its provisions have not yet come into force. The appointment of civilian and uniformed staff to process applications for certificates is a matter for individual chief officers of police, who are responsible for the administration of the Firearms Acts. Information on the number of such appointments is not kept centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.