Lords vote to compensate shooting clubs

The Home Office was dealt yet another defeat in the House of Lords last night when rebel Tory peers voted for compensation for gun club owners who suffer losses because of the ban on handguns over .22 calibre.

Following Monday's defeats on the Police Bill, the Lords voted by 158 to 135 in favour of an amendment to the Firearms (Amendment) Bill which would enable club owners to claim compensation. An amendment to compensate dealers was rejected by 147 to 120.

The Bill proposes market value compensation to individuals for the loss of their weapons and, for higher calibre guns, for accessories. The Government estimates the cost at pounds 150 million, and last night's defeat would add to that cost - or delay the legislation if the Government tries to reverse the defeat.

Home Office minister of state, Baroness Blatch told peers: "It would be a complete departure from precedent and one which we could not support for the taxpayer to be asked to meet losses of this kind which were attributed to the prohibition of handguns."

The defeat came despite a call by Labour frontbencher Lord McIntosh of Haringey to his colleagues to oppose any move that would weaken the Bill or add to its cost.

Last night's successful amendment was was tabled by the Earl of Shrewsbury, chairman of the Firearms Consultative Committee, to compensate operators of a target shooting club or association that went out of business as a result of the government Bill.

The Home Office was last night examining the implications of the Lords defeat for the future of the legislation. "The amendment passed in the Lords has significant economic implications and we are studying them carefully," a spokesman said.

Opening the debate, Lord Shrewsbury said: "I firmly believe that the present plans will lead to injustice. Many of the worst hit by this Bill will be ordinary club members who have pitched together to run their clubs or ranges."

A survey of 139 of the UK's 2,067 gun clubs had found that 71 per cent would be unable to afford the new security arrangements required for .22 armouries. Returns from 126 clubs had put financial losses at pounds 31 million. "This will leave many people bankrupt," he warned.

Meanwhile the Home Secretary, Michael Howard, is expected to reach a compromise with the Opposition over the authorisation of controversial police powers to enter and bug private property, in the wake of the double defeat by peers of a key part of the Police Bill on Monday night.

Labour's amendment called for prior authorisation by one of a panel of senior judges acting as commissioners in respect of intrusive surveillance on premises and in respect of doctors, lawyers and journalists, except in urgent cases. Peers backed it by 209 votes to 145.

The climbdown is likely to come ahead of the third reading of the measure next Tuesday, following discussions yesterday between Mr Howard and his Labour shadow, Jack Straw.

The Government had wanted to give police the power to install surveillance equipment without having to get approval from a judge, and the Association of Chief Police Officers insisted yesterday that opposition amendments insisting on judicial authorisation would "significantly hamper" police efforts against serious and organised crime.