asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what specific conditions and regulations apply to the purchase of (a) a revolver, automatic or rifle and (b) a shotgun.

Broadly a revolver or rifle may be bought only by the holder of a firearm certificate which specifies the number and description of weapons the holder is authorised to acquire, and a shotgun only by the holder of a shotgun certificate—which imposes no specific conditions as to purchase. A special authority from me is required for the purchase of an automatic weapon.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what representations have been made from sporting interests concerning tighter control of shotguns;(2) whether representations have been made by sporting interests opposing a tightening of control on purchase of shotguns.

Some shooting interests have expressed outright opposition to tighter controls; others have represented that any changes should not impose undue restriction on freedom to pursue legitimate sporting activities.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he proposes to tighten up the law on the supply of shotguns; and when he proposes to take such action.

I have it in mind to include in future legislation to amend the Firearms Act 1968 provision for stricter criteria for the grant or renewal of shotgun certificates. I cannot yet say when such legislation may be introduced.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what restrictions are put on people purchasing shotguns; and what rules are laid down for their safe keeping.

In general, it is an offence to purchase a shotgun without holding a current shotgun certificate, which the police would not issue if the holder's possession of a shotgun would present a danger to the public safety. No specific requirement is imposed for the safe keeping of shotguns.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the number of crimes in which firearms have been used in each of the last 10 years; and in how many of these shotguns have been used.

The information available was published in table 3.3 of "Criminal Statistics, England and Wales, 1977 ", Cmnd. 7289.