§ Mr. Ron DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many firearm certificates were currently valid in each police authority area of England, Scotland and Wales for 1988, 1989, and 1990, respectively;
(2) how many shotgun certificates were currently valid in each police authority area in England, Scotland and Wales for 1988, 1989 and 1990, respectively.
§ Mr. John PattenThe number of firearm and shotgun certificates on issue on 31 December of both 1988 and 1989 is shown for each police authority in England and Wales in tables 2 and 4 of Home Office statistical bulletins 18/89 and 26/90. A copy of these bulletins is in the Library.
Figures for 1990 are not yet available. I am informed by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland that the number of firearm and shotgun certificates on issue on 31 December of both 1988 and 1989 was as follows:
Number of firearm and shotgun certificates in Scottish police force areas 1988 and 1989 Number of certificates 1988 1989 Police force area Firearm Shotgun Firearm Shotgun Central Scotland 1,380 4,837 1,364 4,626 Dumfries and Galloway 3,033 6,702 2,637 6,496 Fife 1,801 6,307 1,754 6,152 Grampian 6,183 14,221 6,144 14,132 Lothian and Borders 4,575 12,494 4,418 12,256 Northern 9,928 13,696 8,037 13,391 Strathclyde 6,642 21,116 5,513 20,167 Tayside 4,799 10,120 3,673 9,829 Total in Scotland 38,341 89,493 33,540 87,049 Note: Figures are at 31 December each year.