§ 12. Mr. Macdonaldasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the result of the further tests of C.S. gas announced on 22nd July, 1968; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Elystan MorganMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence tells me that the results of the tests have not yet been fully analysed.
§ Mr. MacdonaldWill my hon. Friend ask the Minister of Defence, when the results have been analysed, to cause them to be published in detail in some learned or scientific journal?
§ Mr. MorganThat is a matter which will have to be left to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence. The trend of the tests, I understand, has not disclosed any grounds for disquiet.
§ 13. Mr. Macdonaldasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what conclusion has been reached by the Central Conference of Chief Constables on the report about the types of gun used to discharge devices containing C.S. gas; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Elystan MorganChief officers of police have accepted the desirability of equipping their forces with a gun designed specially for the discharge of C.S. cartridges against armed besieged criminals.
§ Mr. MacdonaldIf, as now appears to be the case, the existing type of gun used is insufficiently accurate, will my hon. Friend take immediate steps for the withdrawal of those now held by the police?
§ Mr. MorganI think that in time this will follow. I should explain that the Verey pistol at present used by most police forces for the discharge of C.S. cartridges has proved insufficiently accurate for dealing with this type of criminal. A working party has examined many types of weapons, including those of Messrs. Webley and Scott.
§ Mr. DalyellIs my right hon. Friend convinced that in all circumstances C.S. gas is non-lethal?
§ Mr. MorganThere does not seem to be any definite evidence to the contrary.