8U.K.The Firearms Act 1968 has effect subject to the following amendments.
9U.K.In section 54 (Crown servants etc.), after subsection (3) insert—
“(3A)An appropriately authorised person who is either a member of the British Transport Police Force or an associated civilian employee does not commit any offence under this Act by reason of having in his possession, or purchasing or acquiring, for use by that Force anything which is—
(a)a prohibited weapon by virtue of paragraph (b) of section 5(1) of this Act; or
(b)ammunition containing or designed or adapted to contain any such noxious thing as is mentioned in that paragraph.
(3B)In subsection (3A) of this section—
(a)“appropriately authorised” means authorised in writing by the Chief Constable of the British Transport Police Force or, if he is not available, by a member of that Force who is of at least the rank of assistant chief constable; and
(b)“associated civilian employee” means a person employed by the Strategic Rail Authority who is under the direction and control of the Chief Constable of the British Transport Police Force.”
10U.K.In section 57(4), after the definition of “Article 7 authority” insert—
““British Transport Police Force” means the constables appointed under section 53 of the British Transport Commission Act 1949;”.