(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order brings sections 16, 17 and 18 of the Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 into force on 17th March 1997 for the purposes of making a compensation scheme. Under section 16 the Secretary of State is to make a compensation scheme for persons who will effectively be deprived of their firearms or ammunition by virtue of the 1997 Act. Under section 17 any scheme made by the Secretary of State is to provide compensation for persons whose ancillary equipment for such firearms has no practicable use in relation to any other firearm. Section 18 provides that a compensation scheme cannot be made unless a draft of it has been laid before Parliament and approved by each House.