HC Deb 31 January 1994 vol 236 cc574-5W
Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria are held by the Metropolitan police to assess the suitability of an individual for a firearms licence.

Mr. Charles Wardle

Before issuing a firearm certificate a chief officer of police must be satisfied that the applicant is not prohibited from possessing a firearm, can be permitted to possess a firearm without danger to public safety or the peace, and has a good reason for having a firearm. These criteria are set out in the Firearms Act 1968 to 1992 and apply equally to all police force areas.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the number of firearms certificates issued per year for each of the last 10 years by the Metropolitan police; how many in each year were renewals; and what was the total number of valid certificates at each year.

Mr. Maclean

The following table shows for the Metropolitan police district for the years 1986 to 1992 the number of new firearms certificates granted, the number of renewals and the number on issue at 31 December. Figures for the years prior to 1986 are not readily available and those for 1993 are not yet available.

Firearm certificates granted, renewed and on issue at 31 December in the Metropolitan police district, 1986 to 1992
Year Granted Renewed On issue at 31 December
1986 1,066 2,625 9,084
1987 993 2,568 9,036
1988 738 2,278 8,877
Year Granted Renewed On issue at 31 December
1989 825 2,249 8,615
1990 864 2,657 9,929
1991 746 2,432 9,975
1992 855 2,531 9,427