§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many small arms, rifles and hand guns, which were no longer of use to the armed forces, have been sold(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) overseas in each of the last 10 years. [33154]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotSales records are not available for the last 10 years. In the last three years 40,000 small arms, rifles and hand guns have been sold to firearms dealers licensed under section 5 of the Firearms Act to meet overseas orders and 700 rifles have been sold on a Government-to-Government basis.
§ Dr. ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from chief constables on his policy for the sale of small arms no longer required by the armed forces. [33156]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotI am not aware of any recent representations from chief constables about the sale of small arms no longer required by the armed forces.
§ Dr. ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is his policy on(a) the sale and (b) the destruction of small arms, rifles and hand guns, no longer of use to the armed forces. [33153]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotUnder current policy, sales may be made direct to an acceptable overseas Government or to a firearms dealer licensed under section 5 of the Firearms Act in the United Kingdom to meet an order from an overseas customer. MOD will sell only to a UK dealer who has a firm order from an overseas purchaser which meets end user and export control requirements. Dealers are not allowed to buy for stock. Only a small number of inquiries are received each year in either of these categories. Other surpluses for which no export market exists are fragmented first by crushing into granules and subsequently smelting. The majority of surplus weapons are disposed of in this way.
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§ Dr. ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many small arms which were no longer of use to the armed forces he has destroyed in each of the last 10 years. [33155]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotDisposal records are not available for the last 10 years. In the last three years some 93,000 small arms have been destroyed and the current rate of destruction is about 90,000 small arms per annum.
§ Dr. ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with chief constables in the United Kingdom about the sale of small arms, rifles and hand guns. [33157]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotDiscussions on the sale of small arms, rifles and hand guns have taken place in the past with the Home Office, who are responsible for representing the views of the chief constables. Liaison with chief constables is effected by the chief constable of the Ministry of Defence police in his operations.