HC Deb 19 February 1969 vol 778 c458
28. Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how much public money is being spent on the development by his Department of special grenades for disseminating CS riot gas; and if he will now order this work to cease.

Mr. John Morris

I presume my hon. Friend has in mind the report published in The Guardian on 22nd January about an American device for scattering CS. No public money is being spent on the development of this device and there is no intention to develop it.

Mr. Hooley

Is my hon. Friend aware that that is a welcome answer? Can he give an assurance that this country will not indulge in this kind of scientific devilry?

Mr. Morris

I am not sure what my hon. Friend has in mind when he uses the words "scientific devilry". All I can say is that we have no interest in this particular device.