§ Mr. ConnartyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Office what plans he has to offer compensation to owners of handguns or other weapons who wish to surrender them to the authorities although not compelled by law to do so. [8159]
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§ Miss Widdecombe[holding answer 18 December 1996]: We accept that the provisions in the Firearms (Amendment) Bill relating to gun clubs will make it difficult for some owners of .22 pistols to continue to shoot. We have therefore decided to make payments, on an ex gratia basis, to firearm certificate holders who choose to surrender such guns to the police. There are no such plans in relation to other weapons whose surrender will not be required.