§ Lord Marlesfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
On which date they expect the central register of persons, who have applied for a shot gun or firearm certificate or to whom a firearm or shot gun certificate has been granted, to go live on the police national computer as required under Section 39 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997, which came into force on 1 October 1997; and [HL1729]
Whether they are liable to legal action for their failure to create a central register of firearm and shot gun certificate holders as required by Section 39 of the Firearms (Amendment ) Act 1997, which came into force on 1 October 1997; and, if not, for how long it is possible to delay compliance with this legislative requirement. [HL1730]
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Lord Rooker)Section 39 does not specify when the requirement for a central register must be met but we are fully committed to its development.
The time-scale for delivery has been affected by the need to complete the national DNA database and to upgrade the police national computer (PNC) software infrastructure in order to maintain continuity of service to police forces. The combined effect of these two factors is that it will not be possible to begin rolling out the register until September this year, with progressive data migration and all work planned for completion in November 2002. Design and development has now started and is due for completion in May 2002. System testing will be conducted in June to September.