Corresponding Provisions for Northern Ireland

Part of Orders of the Day — Firearms (Amendment) Bill – in the House of Commons at 9:15 pm on 23 May 1988.

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Photo of Mr Michael Colvin Mr Michael Colvin , Romsey and Waterside 9:15, 23 May 1988

I have one simple, short question for my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office. It concerns the legislation that we are in the process of amending. New clause 4 proposes to change the Northern Ireland Act 1974. The Home Office produced a memorandum in response to the publication of a Council directive by the European Commission on the control of the acquisition and possession of weapons. The Home Office memorandum addressed the impact of that directive on United Kingdom law. It said that The relevant legislation of Great Britain is the Firearms Act 1968 —which we are in the process of amending. It also said that the relevant legislation for Northern Ireland was the Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 1981.

When my right hon. Friend comes to reply, will he confirm that we are in the process of amending the right piece of legislation because it would be a waste of the time of the House if we did the wrong thing?