PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE RELATING
TO THE REPORT
WEDNESDAY
29 JANUARY 2003
Members present:
Mr Michael Mates, in the Chair
| Mr Adrian Bailey | Mr Peter Robinson
|
| Mr Tony Clarke | Rev Martin Smyth
|
| Mr Stephen McCabe |
|
The Committee deliberated.
* * *
Draft Report (The Control of Firearms in Northern
Ireland and the draft Firearms (Northern Ireland) Order 2002),
proposed by the Chairman, brought up and read.
Ordered, That the draft
Report be read a second time, paragraph by paragraph.
Paragraphs 1 to 21 read and agreed to.
Paragraph 22 read, as follows:
"We accept that a general ban on handguns
is not appropriate given the current political environment in
Northern Ireland. Nonetheless, we believe that there are persuasive
arguments for seeking a general prohibition, leaving scope for
allowing personal protection weapons if necessary, when circumstances
change. The situation should continue to be kept under review."
Amendment proposed, in line 1, to leave out from
the word "appropriate" to the end of the paragraph.—(Mr
Peter Robinson.)
Question put, That the Amendment be made.
The Committee divided.
| Ayes, 2 | Noes, 3
|
| Rev. Martin Smyth | Mr Adrian Bailey
|
| Mr Peter Robinson | Mr Tony Clarke
|
| Mr Stephen McCabe
|
Paragraph agreed to.
Paragraphs 23 to 131 read and agreed to.
Annexes agreed to.
Resolved, That the Report
be the Fourth Report of the Committee to the House.
Ordered, That the Chairman
do make the Report to the House.
Ordered, That the provisions
of Standing Order No. 134 (Select Committees (reports)) be applied
to the Report.---(The Chairman.)
Several papers were ordered to be appended to the
Minutes of Evidence.
Ordered, That the Appendices
to the Minutes of Evidence taken before the Committee be reported
to the House.—(The Chairman.)
* * *
[Adjourned till Wednesday 5
February at a quarter past Four o'clock.
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