§ Mr. ShersbyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many illegally held semiautomatic firearms have been confiscated by the police service in England and Wales during the most recent 12-month period for which figures are available.
§ Mr. MacleanThis information is not available centrally.
§ Mr. ShersbyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has concerning the provenance of firearms unlawfully imported into the country; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MacleanWe have no hard information. The break-up of the former Soviet Union and the demise of the Warsaw pact has led to a greater availability of firearms on the world market. Her Majesty's customs are aware of this increased risk and are taking steps to counter it.