To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give the latest figures he has on the number of armed robberies in which imitation guns were used.

[holding answer 31 January 1992]: This information is contained in table 4 of the Scottish Office statistical bulletin CRJ/1991/2 "Recorded Crimes and Offences Involving Firearms, Scotland 1990", a copy of which is in the Library.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to curb the sale of imitation guns; and if he will make a statement.

[holding answer 31 January 1992]: The firearms consultative committee has recently considered this matter and has put recommendations to my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary. These recommendations include extending the range of offences relating to the misuse of firearms and ensuring that in future the packaging of such weapons carries a warning about offences and penalties relating to their use. My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary is looking afresh at the law regarding replicas in the light of the recommendations put to him by the committee.