Written question asked by Andrew Rosindell (Conservative) on Monday, 27 June 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 29 June 2005. It was answered by Baroness Primarolo (Labour) on Monday, 4 July 2005 on behalf of the Treasury.

Illegal Firearms

Question: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps the Government are taking to stop the smuggling of illegal firearms into the UK.

Answer: HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are responsible for enforcement of controls in respect of smuggling of illegal firearms into the UK.To detect and prevent the smuggling of firearms HMRC deploy resources according to risk, through intelligence-led and targeted activity with teams, including national and regional strike forces, that work flexibly to match any changing threat and whose training includes recognition of firearms and their component parts. HMRC target all types of traffic arriving at UK ports and airports both from other EU member states and from non-EU countries.HMRC work closely with NCIS and police forces to share information and to improve the intelligence available on firearms smuggling. They have agreed operational arrangements to follow-up detections of smuggled firearms, parts and ammunition.In all cases where such goods are detected HMRC will seize them, share the information with NCIS and police and agree with police the arrangements for any follow up investigation. HMRC will normally seek to prosecute in any case involving a deliberate attempt to smuggle a firearm into the UK.As part of the Government's commitment to reduce gun crime, the Criminal Justice Act 2003 included a provision to increase the maximum term of imprisonment for smuggling prohibited weapons (other than stun guns and self defence sprays) from seven years to 10.

Secondary information