§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what forms submitted by the late Thomas Hamilton by way of applications for the granting of firearms certificates required him to provide the names and addresses of one or more character references; if that requirement was met in full by the applicant; if in each case public office was held by any such referees cited; and if he will make a statement. [3015]
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 7 November 1996]: Under the provisions of the Firearms (Scotland) Rules 1989, all applications for firearms certificates require to be verified by means of countersignature by a person who is not a member of the applicant's family, is resident in Great Britain, has known the applicant for at least two years and is a justice of the peace or someone of similar standing. Lord Cullen's report on the public inquiry into the shootings at Dunblane primary school, Cm 3386, records at paragraph 6.46 that Thomas Hamilton's applications in 1992 and 1995 were countersigned by a justice of the peace.
§ Mr. WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the consequences of the approaches made by Thomas Hamilton to the ombudsman. [3019]
§ Mr. Kynoch[holding answer 7 November 1996]: This is dealt with in chapter 4 of Lord Cullen's report, Cm 3386.