Source · Select Committees · Scottish Affairs Committee
Recommendation 31
31
Acknowledged
The Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire for the Home Office, Rt Hon.
Conclusion
The Minister for Crime, Policing and Fire for the Home Office, Rt Hon. Chris Philp MP, suggested to us that the referee system could be improved by requiring referees to be drawn from a list of recognised professions.101 This would bring firearms licence applications into line with similar processes, like passport applications.102 However, the Minister warned that “we need to make sure that we do not impose onerous burdens on people wanting to apply”.103
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the concerns raised and notes that similar issues were raised by the IOPC and the Senior Coroner for Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon and states it is now consulting on possible changes to the role and participation of referees.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
With regard to the Committee’s recommendations around the review of referees in the firearms licensing process, it is worth noting that similar issues were raised by both the IOPC and in the Prevention of Future Deaths reports issued by the Senior Coroner for Plymouth, Torbay and South Devon. You will see that we are now consulting on possible changes to the role and participation of referees in the firearms licensing process.