HC Deb 05 November 1996 vol 284 cc432-3W
Mr. Whittingdale

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the value of the retail trade in handguns of more than .22 calibre. [1480]

Miss Widdecombe

We have made no estimate of this.

Sir Jerry Wiggin

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice he has received concerning the temporary dismantling of self-loading pistols and revolvers proposed in Lord Cullen's report at paragraph 9.106; and if he will place that advice in the Library. [2020]

Miss Widdecombe

[holding answer 4 November 1996]: Advice from firearms experts at the Forensic Science Service is reflected in paragraphs 109 to 115 of the Government's evidence submitted to Lord Cullen's inquiry. A copy is in the Library. A copy of further advice from the Forensic Science Service confirming the view that the design of some self-loading pistols will make the operation to remove the slide assembly substantially more difficult than in others and the difficulties involved in removing the cylinder of a revolver has been placed in the Library.

Sir Jerry Wiggin

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list those guns which are not capable of dismantling in the manner described in Lord Cullen's report, paragraph 9.106. [2021]

Miss Widdecombe

[holding answer 4 November 1996]: I understand from the Forensic Science Service that varying degrees of difficulty and potential damage apply to all self-loading pistols and revolvers.

Sir Jerry Wiggin

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many guns have been surrendered as a result of the prohibitions introduced by the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988; how many claims for compensation remain to be settled; and what was the total cost of compensation paid to date. [2022]

Miss Widdecombe

[holding answer 4 November 1996]: The Department received nearly 3,000 claims relating to around 3,600 firearms under the Government buy-in scheme for weapons which became prohibited by virtue of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1988. A total of £620,000 was paid in relation to those claims. The Department has considered all claims made under the scheme and advised claimants of the outcome. Offers have been made to all claimants entitled to receive compensation.