To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made on negotiations to allow Olympic target pistol shooters to train and compete in the UK. (168215)

[holding answer 26 November 2007]: Agreement has been reached in principle on the use of Ministry of Defence ranges by a small squad of elite pistol shooters. To enable this to take place I propose to use my powers under section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968. Scottish Ministers have also agreed in principle to exercise their powers in a similar manner in respect of Scotland. As a next step we will be meeting the national governing bodies to establish the final details.