HC Deb 21 December 2000 vol 360 cc322-3W
Mr. Corbett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many temporary firearms certificates have been issued by Cheshire Police in each of the past six months to holders of firearms certificates who are awaiting renewals. [143855]

Mr. Charles Clarke

I understand that the following number of police permits have been issued under section 7 of the Firearms Act 1968:

Month Number
June 1
July 1
August 1
September 1
October 0
November 1

Mr. Corbett

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department In how many times in each of the past six months, and for what reason, North Wales police has issued written permission for a named person to possess firearms and ammunition in the name of the authority of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation dealer's certificate No. 116 for the purposes of section 8 of the Firearms Act 1968. [143856]

Mr. Charles Clarke

Section 8 of the Firearms Act provides that a person carrying on the business of a registered firearms dealer or a servant of any such person may, without holding a certificate, have in his possession, or purchase or acquire, a firearm or ammunition in the ordinary course of that business. The police have no authority to issue 'written permission' for a person to act as a dealer's servant: this is a matter of fact.

We understand that last month North Wales police issued a firearm certificate permitting a new employee of the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) to possess firearms and ammunition held by the dealership as a temporary measure while BASC's approval as a target shooting club was being renewed. This is a purely administrative matter, and BASC, North Wales police and the Home Office are not aware of any problems arising from this.