To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

(1) what consideration is given to (a) imprisonable and (b) non-imprisonable driving offences when determining an application for a firearms licence in Northern Ireland;

(2) what consideration is given to criminal convictions, spent or otherwise, when determining an application for a firearms licence in Northern Ireland.

The Chief Constable of the Police Service for Northern Ireland has advised that applications for firearms certificates are assessed on a case by case basis and all relevant information, including criminal convictions, is taken into consideration in determining whether an applicant is a fit person to possess firearms within the meaning of Articles 5 and 63 (Prohibited Persons) of the Firearms (NI) Order 2004 and Appendix 2 of the Guidance on Northern Ireland Firearms Controls.