andMr. Cott asked the Minister for Justice the number of licences issued for .303 rifles for the years 1968, 1969 and 1970 to-date.

The numbers of fire-arm certificates issued in respect of .303 rifles for the years 1968, 1969 and 1970 to date are 143, 142 and 157, respectively. These figures include renewals, as a certificate remains in force for not more than one year.

What restrictions are placed on the issue of licences for .303 rifles?

That is a separate question.

Firearms certificates are not issued in the ordinary way in respect of rifles of a calibre greater than .22. In special circumstances licences are issued for rifles of a larger calibre for specific purposes, mainly for deer shooting where the applicant is the landowner or has permission from the landowner to shoot deer on the land, or for shooting seals for bounty to protect fisheries, and to members of recognised gun clubs for target shooting on the ranges.

Is the Minister aware that one need never shoot deer and can still obtain a licence for a .303 rifle? They are, in fact, freely available at the moment.

They are not freely available. It is extremely difficult to obtain a certificate for a .303 rifle.

That is not true.