§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many illegally held firearms, by category, have been handed in to the police in each of the last five years; if he will indicate how many were handed in as part of a firearms amnesty; and if he will make a statement. [31955]
§ Mr. MichaelInformation on the number of illegal firearms handed in to the police in general is not held centrally.
During the national firearms amnesty held in June 1996, the number of items surrendered was 22,823, consisting of 4,442 handguns, 1,859 rifles, 8,649 smooth bore guns, 5,361 air weapons and including 1,937 imitation firearms and 575 other.
At the request of the local community and the police, my right hon. Friend endorsed a recent local amnesty held in November in the London Borough of Lambeth. A total of 24 firearms were surrendered, consisting of 16 handguns, 628W four shot guns, two rifles and two air weapons. Additionally, four imitation firearms and a canister of pepper spray were handed in.
We will continue to endorse similar initiatives which have the same excellent level of community and public support.