National Security Minister Martin Joseph was not prepared yesterday to stand by his previous assurances that the murder rate this year would be less than last year.

Joseph, who as recently as his 2009/2010 Budget contribution repeated his undertaking that the homicide rate would dropped, was again asked about this issue at the post-Cabinet news conference at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s yesterday.

He replied: ’I will make no comment on that at this time.’

On the issue of the stolen guns from Mi5, Joseph said two of the 13 guns were recovered.

Joseph also said Government planned to bring legislation to regulate private security firms by having all security firms registered with the Ministry of National Security, but he noted it was taking longer than Government anticipated because of challenges of the environment. He noted that the Supplemental Police Act gives the ministry oversight responsibility over registered security firms. But only 47 of the 300 security firms are registered and that is because they require their officers to be precepted.

Joseph said he has received a report on Mi5 and at end of a full investigation, a report would be given to Ministry of National Security for appropriate action.

’The Commissioner has asked me to be careful because I don’t want to prejudice his matter. At the end of the day, the Minister has the authority to take action against a company,’ he said.