§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many British companies have been licensed under section 5 of the Firearms Act 1982 to handle, distribute, store and manufacture electric shock devices in each year since 1992; and if he will name them; [3815]
(2) What assessment he has made of procedures which regulate the manufacture, sales, storage and distribution of electric shock devices by United Kingdom companies. [3942]
§ Mr. MichaelThe unauthorised acquisition, purchase, possession, manufacture, sale and transfer of weapons discharging electric shocks are considered to be prohibited under section 5(1)(b) of the Firearms Act 1968.
Applications for authority under section 5 of the 1968 Act are considered by the Home Office, for companies in England and Wales, and by the Scottish Office. Because of the specially dangerous nature of prohibited weapons, applications are subject to rigorous scrutiny. None will be granted unless (a) the person or company making it is in all respects fit and proper; (b) they will comply with stringent security standards commensurate with the prohibited weapons to be held; and (c) there is 312W demonstrable evidence of a genuine and legitimate business or other need for the prohibited weapons in question.
Barcrest Limited were issued with authority under section 5(1)(b) of the 1968 Act on 22 April 1997 to purchase and possess four electric shock weapons to assist their research into preventing these from being used in attacks on gaming machines. This authority is valid for one year only.
No other company has been granted authority under the Firearms Acts in respect of prohibited electric shock weapons since 1992. I consider that these arrangements are effective in restricting trade in electric shock weapons in this country.
§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if Air Taser Incorporated, Scottsdale, Arizona is or has been licensed under section 5 of the Firearms Act 1982 to handle, distribute, store or manufacture electric shock devices in the UK. [3945]
§ Mr. MichaelNo authority has been given to this company by the Secretary of State under section 5(1)(b) of the Firearms Act 1968 to possess, purchase, acquire, manufacture, sell or transfer such devices.
§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if(a) Racing Lines of Darwen, Lancashire, and (b) Mark Hilliard of Darwen, Lancashire, are or have been licensed to handle, distribute, store or manufacture electric shock devices in the United Kingdom. [3937]
§ Mr. MichaelNeither company has been given authority by the Secretary of State under section 5(1)(b) of the Firearms Act 1968 to possess, purchase, acquire, manufacture, sell or transfer such devices.