§ Mr. ChurchillTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what has been the increase in firearms fees in each of the past five years in both cash and percentage terms; what is the justification for such levels of 267W increase; and if he will use his powers under section 55 of the Firearms Act 1968 to require chief officers of police forces to adopt models of best practice in the management of their firearms departments. [29741]
§ Mr. Maclean[holding answer 20 June 1995]: The Government increased some of the fees that are payable under the firearms acts with effect from 1 January 1995. The cash and percentage increases are set out in the table. The previous change to those fees took effect on 1 June 1990.
The fee levels are designed to reflect the cost to the police service of operating the firearms licensing system. They take account of the best practice guidelines for administering the system, which the Home Office issued to chief officers in 1991 and of a subsequent costing exercise undertaken by independent consultants.
In calculating costs, we have assumed that police forces are already well on the way to operating best practice and will continue to make efficiency savings during the five-year period over which costs have been calculated. In the case of shotgun fees, the cost of additional checks made as a result of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988 is reflected for the first time. In particular, on first application, the police will normally make a home visit to make sure that the requirement for safekeeping at all times will be satisfied.
Without those increases, there would be a shortfall in income of some £8 million over the next five years to meet the police costs, a shortfall that would have to be met at the expense of some other police activity.
My right hon. and learned Friend does not propose to use section 55 of the Firearms Act 1968 to require chief officers of police to adopt the best practice guidelines.
268W
1990 fee £ 1995 fee £ Cash increase £ Percentage increase Firearm certificate Issue 46 56 10 22 Renewal 46 46 — — Variation 26 26 — — Replacement 9 9 — — Shotgun certificate Issue 17 43 26 153 Renewal 11 18 7 64 Coterminous with firearm certificate 5 5 — — Replacement 8 8 — — Firearms dealers certificate Issue 94 118 24 26 Renewal 50 50 — — Register for game, fair, etc 12 12 Visitors firearm permit Individual 12 12 — — Group 60 60 — — Home office approval of rifle and pistol clubs Issue and renewal 33 84 51 154
1990 fee £ 1995 fee £ Cash increase £ Percentage increase Museum firearms licence Issue and renewal 1200 1200 — — 1 Maximum.