asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, in relation to the murder of Carl Bridgewater on 19 September, whether any of the accused in the subsequent trial legitimately possessed either a firearm or a shotgun certificate; who owned the shotgun used in the incident; from whom the shotgun was obtained; whether that person was a registered firearms dealer; and whether any action is being taken against the seller of the firearm under the Firearms Act 1968.

The Chief constable of the Staffordshire Police tells me that none of the accused possessed either a firearm or a shotgun certificate; the shotgun used in the incident was never positively identified.