§ Mr. BurnsTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will publish(a) the number of places on each of her Department's non-departmental public bodies, (b) the number of places that are currently unfilled on each non-departmental public body, (c) the total number of members that have resigned since 1 May 1997, (d) the total number that have retired since 1 May 1997, (e) the total number that have not had their contracts renewed since 1 May 1997, (f) the total number that have remained in place since 1 May 1997 and (g) the total number that have been appointed since 1 May 1997. [35284]
§ Clare Short[holding answer 19 March 1998]: The information is as follows:
§ Mr. MichaelThe arrangement for processing firearm certificates in the Metropolitan Police area is an operational matter for the Commissioner. We understand that the average time for processing routine amendments to firearm and shotgun certificates is between two and three weeks.
Following the surrender of handguns under the Firearms (Amendment) Acts 1997, some former handgun owners have sought variations to their certificates in order 15W to permit them to take up new shooting sports. No fee is payable by handgun owners in respect of amendments involving replacement, rather than additional, firearms. However, the proposed acquisition of new firearms may involve the police in inspecting the applicant's security arrangements and confirming the details of his proposed shooting activities. For these reasons, the time taken to deal with amendments and return certificates to their owners may take several months. While the Metropolitan Police have confirmed that they are seeking to deal with any backlogs as a matter of urgency, this will have to depend to some extent on the urgency of competing demands.
As well as dealing with variations to firearm certificates recently, police firearms licensing departments have dealt with the considerable volume of work relating to the surrender of handguns and the processing of compensation claims, as well as routine licensing and firearms matters.