§ Liz BlackmanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the controls governing air rifles. [24854]
§ Mr. MichaelThere are already laws in place to control the use and possession of air rifles. It is illegal to carry a loaded air weapon in a public place, to discharge an air 143W weapon within fifty feet of a road or to use one to shoot birds or other protected animals. We have said that, once the total ban on handguns is in place, we will look at all firearms controls to see whether other measures are needed to safeguard the public. The law relating to air weapons will be included as part of that exercise. We propose to consult widely with all interested parties if further steps are considered necessary.
Asylum applications1received in the United Kingdom, excluding dependants, and initial decisions2on applications, January to December 1997 Principal applicants Decisions Month Applications Total decisions Grants of asylum Grants of exceptional leave Refused asylum and exceptional leave3 January 2,715 3,260 265 415 2,580 February 2,475 3,090 305 375 2,410 March 2,160 2,845 295 140 2,410 April 2,665 3,390 265 185 2,945 May 2,590 2,880 235 155 2,490 June 2,585 2,930 235 175 2,520 July 3,070 3,480 280 330 2,875 August 2,930 2,980 265 355 2,360 September 2,850 2,800 310 265 2,225 October 2,990 3,035 330 260 2,445 November 2,345 2,990 595 305 2,090 December 3,120 2,355 605 155 1,595 Total 32,500 36,045 3,985 3,115 28,945 1 Figures rounded to nearest 5, with '*'= 1 or 2. 2 Decision figures do not necessarily relate to applications made in 1997. 3 Includes those cases refused on the grounds that the applicant had arrived from a safe third country and under Paragraph 340 of Immigration Rules. (For failure to provide evidence to support the asylum claim within a reasonable period, including failure to respond to invitation to interview).