HC Deb 26 November 1992 vol 214 cc773-4W
Mr. Llwyd

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many crimes involving the use of replica firearms have been committed in each police authority area in Wales in each of the last five years.

Mr. Jack

Figures for offences involving imitation firearms are set out in the table. These figures include replica firearms and all other types of imitation firearms including toys.

Notifiable offences recorded by the police in which imitation firearms were reported to have been used
Year Dyfed Powys Gwent North Wales South Wales
1987 1 2 1
1988 1 2 3
1989 1 3 6 3
1990 1 11 3 7
11991 2 1 11 9
1 Provisional.

Mr. Alex Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will propose a review of police procedures with a view to reducing the number of shotguns; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Charles Wardle

New controls on shotguns were imposed by the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988. Since then, the number of shotgun certificates on issue has fallen by 18 per cent., from 882,000 in 1988 to 724,600 in 1991.

Shotgun certificates are issued by chief officers of police. Before granting each certificate, the chief officer must be satisfied that the applicant can be permitted to possess a shotgun without danger to public safety.

Mr. Alex Carlile

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce legislation to tighten gun control; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Charles Wardle

The Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 tightened the already strict controls on the possession of firearms and shot guns. The firearms consultative committee keeps the Firearms Acts under close review. It is open to the committee to recommend changes in the controls if it thinks fit.

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