asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce regulations to ensure that shotguns are not obtained without a police licence; and if he will make a statement.

I have considered on several occasions the suggestion that the Firearms Acts should be amended so as to make the possession of all types of shotguns subject to the firearm certificate procedure, but, for the reasons I gave the House during the Second Reading debate on the Firearms Act 1965, I do not consider that the results would justify the burdens that would be placed upon the police.

Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that that reply will be very disappointing to those who are particularly concerned with stopping crimes of violence? When sawn-off shotguns can be used for murder, as they have been, is it not more important that they should be brought under the firearm certificate procedure rather than that we should be concerned about the slight inconvenience caused to legitimate users—which I believe to be the main reason why they have not been so controlled?

Sawn-off shotguns are already brought within the scope of the Firearms Act and are forbidden.