§ Mr. HoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will give details of the number of licensed gun clubs in Scotland; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will list all registered gun clubs in Scotland.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThere are currently 271 approved gun clubs in Scotland. I will write to the hon. Member with a list of the approved clubs and place a copy of my letter in the Library.
Any rifle or pistol club can apply to become an approved club. Before granting approval my right hon. and learned Friend requires to be satisfied, among other things, that the club is bona fide and has a proper constitution, that the principal officers are responsible persons, that the security arrangements for the storage of club firearms and ammunition are satisfactory, and also that a probationary period of at least six months' duration
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Body Position Remuneration Crofters Commission Chairman c Highlands and Islands Development Board Chairman f Deputy Chairman e 2 Members e Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland Member b Member e Member f North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board Chairman d Chief Executive f Scottish Dental Practice Board Chairman c Scottish Development Agency Chairman c Chief Executive f Scottish Homes Chairman b Chief Executive e Scottish Legal Aid Board chairman a Scottish Tourist Board Chairman d Scottish Transport Group Chairman f South of Scotland Electricity Board Chairman f Deputy Chairman f applies in respect to new members during which the probationary member is given a course of regular instruction on the safe handling and use of firearms.
Where approval is granted, the club may obtain a firearm certificate to purchase or acquire firearms and ammunition for the use of club members in, or in connection with, target practice. Club members do not require personal firearms certificates in these circumstances.
My right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary announced in reply to a question on 23 January from my hon. Friend the Member for Cambridgeshire, South-East (Mr. Paice), at columns 592–93, new and stricter conditions relating to membership of approved gun clubs covering such issues as probationary and novice members, day membership and guest days. That reply made it clear that my right hon. and learned Friend would adopt the same policy for approval of gun clubs in Scotland.