§ Lord Burnhamasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they can give further details of the forthcoming firearms amnesty.
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Baroness Blatch)My right honourable friend the Home Secretary and my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Scotland have today announced that a national firearms amnesty will start on 3 June and will run for the rest of that month. It will apply to England and Wales and to Scotland and will enable people to hand in to a police station illegally held weapons without fear of prosecution. It will not, however, give 97WA immunity against any offences committed using those weapons. The amnesty will also provide an opportunity for people to hand in unwanted but legally held weapons.
Guidance has been issued to the police to ensure that all appropriate arrangements are made to facilitate the surrender of weapons during the period of the amnesty.
Publicity material will be made available locally to provide people with information as to how they can hand in weapons.