HL Deb 20 October 2003 vol 653 c146WA
Lord Marlesford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the answer by the Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 20 May (HL Deb, col. 685) what progress has been made in the establishment of a national register, as required by Section 39 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997; whether the project became operational on 31 August 2003 as predicted in the answer; and, if so, how many police forces are now able to use it. [HL4686]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

The requirement under Section 39 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 for a central register of all persons who have applied for and been granted or refused a firearm or shot gun certificate is being taken forward as part of a national firearms licensing management system. I understand from the Police Information Technology Organisation that it expects to finalise the contract for taking this forward in the next few days. The prediction was and still is for the project to be operational by 31 August 2004 (not 2003) and no forces are yet able to use it.