§ Mr. Martin SalterTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) when he will publish the consultation paper for the Home Office Review of firearms legislation; [161761]
(2) what the purpose is of his Department's review of firearms legislation; [161762]
(3) how long will be allowed for the consultation on his Department's review of firearms legislation; [161763]
(4) what representations he has received regarding the current law on firearms in the last three months; [161764]
(5) which stakeholder organisations he plans to meet to discuss the review of firearms legislation; [161768]
(6) what discussions he has had with the police regarding the Department's review of firearms legislation; [161769]
(7) what principles guide the Home Office's relations with stakeholders with regard to firearms legislation; [161771]
(8) with which organisations he has discussed the Home Office review of firearms legislation. [161772]
§ Caroline FlintWe will be publishing a consultation paper shortly as the first step in a comprehensive review of our firearms controls to ensure they meet current needs and reduce the risk of guns getting into the wrong hands. We believe that any system of regulation must be robust, efficient and effective but should not place unnecessary burdens on those who administer and enforce the law or who possess guns for reasons allowed by the law.
In drawing up the consultation paper there have been no formal discussions with interested parties although it will seek to reflect a range of issues which have been raised in the past by representative bodies and in public correspondence. We are interested in receiving views 534W from everybody with an interest in the future regulation of firearms and want an open debate of the issues. A period of three months will be allowed for responses.