§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date his Department held consultative meetings on the Review of the Firearms Forms and Rules with (i) the British Medical Association and other professional medical representative bodies, (ii) the National Farmers Union (England and Wales), (iii) the National Farmers Union (Scotland), (iv) the Country Landowners Association (England and Wales), (v) the Country Landowners Association (Scotland), (vi) firearms clubs and associations, (vii) the British Deer Society, and the Deer Commission for Scotland, and (viii) the British Sports Association for the Disabled; when he plans to conclude the review of Firearms Forms and Rules; when he plans to implement the proposed new Forms and Rules; for what reasons the Home Office Note of the main issues raised at the meeting on 19 February to discuss the forms, was not sent to all consultees when requesting further written submissions; and when he intends to meet consultees to discuss these matters. [44101]
§ Mr. MichaelThe arrangements made for meeting representatives of shooting organisations to discuss the proposed new Firearms Rules and forms are as set out in my answer to the hon. Member of 18 May 1998,Official Report, column 241. The new Rules and forms are planned to come into effect on 1 September 1998. The minutes of the working group meeting held on 19 February 1998 were intended solely as a record for those attending but were reflected in the draft forms subsequently sent out for comment. No further meetings are planned.