§ Lord Burtonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What action has been, or is being, taken and what (if any) charges are being considered by the Metropolitan Police and Customs and Excise against Mr. Derek Jones as a result of his admissions on the Channel 4 programme shown on 19 May 1998, "Undercover Britain Gun Law", concerning:
- (a) removing 0.38/0.357 ammunition from a gun club when not in possession of a firearms certificate;
- (b) removing a 0.44/45 black powder revolver from a gun club without a firearms certificate;
- (c) importing a cap and ball revolver without declaration upon importation;
- (d) failing to comply with the ports by-laws;
- (e) having in his possession a revolver without an appropriate certificate of de-activation; and [HL2022]
What action has been, or is being, taken and what (if any) charges are being considered by the Metropolitan Police and Customs and Excise against Mr. Ray Fitzwalter of Ray Fitzwalter Associates in connection with the actions of Mr. Derek Jones reported on the Channel 4 programme shown on 19 May 1998, "Undercover Britain Gun law". [HL2023]
§ Lord Williams of MostynEnforcement of the law is an operational matter for the police and Her Majesty's Customs and Excise. I understand that investigations are currently being carried out by both the police and HM Customs in the light of the Channel 4 programme. It will be for the police and HM Customs to decide whether any criminal charges are justified once those investigations are complete.