Dunblane parents make a point. Princess and Parliament sympathises but action on guns must wait for Lord Cullen

It bore more than 705,000 signatures, the last few names being added by onlookers just before the petitioners entered the House of Commons.

Tourists were keen to add their names. They had been just as horrified as Scots when they learned of the Dunblane killings on their own TV screens and in newspapers.

The Dunblane shockwaves have circled the globe.

However, no matter how warm and sympathetically they were received in London, the delegation in charge of the Snowdrop petition - recognising as it does the spring morning when Thomas Hamilton slaughtered 16 children and their teacher before turning a gun on himself - is unlikely to bring immediate changes in the law.

The Government will wait until Lord Cullen has made his report before deciding the way forward.

``Otherwise, there would be no point in holding the inquiry in the first place,'' Government spokesmen point out.

The meeting with the Princess had been instigated by the Dunblane families and children.

It was a request Princess Diana had no hesitation in accepting. It is no secret that she wanted to visit Dunblane at the time of the tragedy. However, Buckingham Palace ruled then that it was more appropriate that the Queen and the Princess Royal should lead the nation in its grief.

While protocol prevents members of the royal family from signing petitions, when asked if she felt the campaign to ban handguns was likely to succeed, Princess Diana replied: ``I certainly hope so.''

It was an informal occasion.

``Oh yes, it was very laid-back indeed,'' said Mrs Rosemary Hunter, 28, one of those who organised the Snowdrop petition. ``The Princess moved around and spoke to everyone.''

She was presented with a posy by Jack Crozier, whose big sister sister Emma, five, was shot dead by the deranged Hamilton. There was the inevitable question from three-year-old Jack: ``Where's your crown?''

``Everyone asks me that,'' said the Princess, laughing. ``I didn't bring it with me . . . it's in the car.''

With true Scottish persistence, Jack would not be put off: ``Where's your car then?''

Only last week, the Princess of Wales rescheduled her day to ensure this meeting could take place.

``The Princess was very diplomatic, but we think she supports us in what we are trying to do,'' said Mrs Jackie Walsh, one of the Snowdrop organisers. ``After all, this is a major issue.''

In all, the signatures filled 29 boxes, which were carried into the House of Commons on barrows.

The delegation was met by an all-party group of MPs including Scottish Secretary Michael Forsyth and Home Secretary Michael Howard.

Jointly they have presented 39 options to Lord Cullen - highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of additional gun controls.

Both Ministers have made it clear they are prepared to act speedily should Lord Cullen come down strongly in favour of changes in legislation.

Among others, the party from Dunblane also met Mr Tony Blair, leader of the Opposition; Mr Alex Salmond, leader of the SNP; Shadow Scottish Secretary George Robertson; Shadow Home Secretary Jack Straw; and Mr Bill Wallace, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats.

Mr Robertson said: ``The all-party approach is holding together, and legislation billed on this basis has a better chance of going through. I hope that Lord Cullen will take a line that is firm and decisive.''

Calling for a ban on handguns of more than 0.22 calibre, Mr Straw said the people of Dunblane had not travelled to London seeking sympathy.

The anger demonstrated at Hungerford had faded away. This would not happen following Dunblane.

``This time, by the efforts behind the petition, there is a real determination to change the laws governing gun controls,'' he said.

This was echoed later in the chamber when the Scottish Secretary told MPs he had no doubt that the House and future meetings of the Scottish Grand Committee would want to consider these issues in due course.