HL Deb 05 November 1997 vol 582 cc293-4WA
The Earl of Haddington

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Williams of Mostyn on 21 October (WA205–206), whether they will reconsider their reply in the light of the letter of Ian McColl BEM, the Firearms and Explosives Licensing Manager of Cambridge Constabulary, to Reginald Buckland on 13 March 1996; and

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Williams of Mostyn on 21 October (WA205–206), whether they will reconsider their reply in the light of the letter of Assistant Chief Constable D R Winser to Reginald Buckland on 6 June 1996.

Lord Williams of Mostyn

In the judgment in this case there is a reference to the Home Office view that conditions cannot be varied on application and that no right of appeal existed. In fact this was our general interpretation of the existing law that we had held for some time. It was not expressed specifically in this particular case. We are from time to time asked for our views on the law and procedures and we would usually give them whilst making clear that it is for the courts to interpret the law, not the Executive. To this extent there is nothing to add to my previous reply.