Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department holds on the time taken by police forces to issue (a) firearm and (b) shotgun licences.

We do not collect data on the time taken by police forces to issue firearm and shotgun certificates.

I have written to all Police and Crime Commissioners about the importance of an efficient and effective firearms licensing process in police forces and I continue to receive regular updates on force performance. In addition, force performance is being actively monitored by the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s lead for firearms licensing.

Particular focus is being made on the backlogs in those areas of greatest risk, with a reduced routine reliance being made on the use of temporary permits, as well as a reduction in those whose certificates have expired, who have not been given temporary permits and who remain in possession of their firearms.