From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
I have just received a reply from my MP regarding the validity of the GCN
(all six members) and its position on the FCC. The reply was the usual
covering letter, but also enclosed was a copy of a letter from Charles
Clarke, the minister at the Home Office, his letter is reproduced below :
>>>
17th January 2001
Dear Jacqui,
Thank you for your letter of the 21st December to Jack Straw on behalf of
your constituent Paul Isherwood of ... about the appointment of members of
the Gun Control Network (GCN) to the Firearms Consultative Committee. I am
replying as Minister responsible for firearms matters.
As you will know, the Firearms Consultative Committee (FCC) is the
independent statutory body that advises the Government on firearms matters.
Its membership has always included a mixture of shooters, police officers
and others with an interest in firearms matters.
In its Ninth Annual Report, the FCC acknowledged concerns that it may be too
narrowly constituted and its membership dominated by the shooting community.
The FCC made a number of recommendations for new appointments, including
that a member of the Gun Control Network (GCN) should be appointed to the
Committee. The FCC felt that the GCN had a legitimate viewpoint and a
useful contribution to make to the debate on controls over firearms. The
Government accepted this recommendation amongst many others.
I enclose for your reference a copy of the FCC's work programme for this
working year which includes a list of its current membership. As you will
see, this includes Mrs. Gill Marshall Andrews of the Gun Control Network
amongst a range of other members.
In considering this issue, both the FCC and the Government were aware that
the GCN has chosen not to be a mass-membership organisation as such. Mr.
Isherwood's point about the GCN's organisation may indeed be true, but it is
not a revelation. By their nature, most organisations representing those
involved in a lawful activity will be larger than those actively opposed to
such activities, even though the balance of wider public opinion may be far
more even. The FCC themselves acknowledged that there was a danger that it
might easily become 'cosy and uncontroversial within itself and strongly
partisan in its dealings with the outside world'.
I should make it clear that appointments to the FCC are by law on a personal
basis. While many members are senior officials in large organisations,
this is certainly not a prerequisite of FCC membership. To take one
example, the London Proof Master Mr. Bob Pitcher does not represent a large
organisation as such, but he has served on the FCC for over ten years in
view of his own knowledge and experience and the importance of the Proof
House in firearms matters. Successive Governments have always sought to
include a balance of view points and background on the FCC and we believe
that we have generally achieved this.
Yours,
Charles
>>>
In the best traditions of _Yes Minister_ isn't it nice to know we such
capable people in charge of our Country !!!
Comments anyone ?
--
I got the same letter about a year ago.
Steve.
Cybershooters website: http://www.cybershooters.org
List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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