HL Deb 02 July 2002 vol 637 c22WA
Lord Corbett of Castle Vale

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will call for a report from Gwent Constabulary on the reasons for delays in its administration of applications for shotgun and firearms certificates and renewals and variations of them. [HL4834]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

Gwent Police shares the concerns of others regarding the delays currently being experienced by certificate holders and new applicants in the administration of their various firearms applications. I understand that additional resources and new procedures have been introduced to enable staff to deal with applications more effectively and efficiently and that the force expects the current backlog of work to be cleared and the department brought up to date by the end of September 2002.

Lord Corbett of Castle Vale

asked Her Majesty's Government:

On what dates in the past five years has HM Inspectorate of Constabulary inquired into the administration of shotgun and firearms certificates by Gwent Constabulary. [HL4835]

Lord Falconer of Thoroton

I understand from Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary that the force as a whole was inspected in December 2000 and August 1999, but this area of business was not specifically inspected. However, a best value review of firearms licensing is expected to take place in 2004.