§ 2.53 p.m.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the British police forces are to be provided with Model L 39A1 rifles and, if so, for what purposes.
VISCOUNT COLVILLE OF CULROSSMy Lords, following a recent review of the firearms available to the police, the majority of police forces in England, Wales and Scotland, have decided to reequip with modified L 39A1 rifles which are intended only for use in an emergency where lives are threatened by armed and dangerous persons.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, is the noble Viscount aware that I put down this Question so that he might reassure the Members on his Back Benches, and that I am very disappointed that they are now at a doctrinal service and will not be able to hear the Minister's Answer? Is it not the case that the Evening Standard, which many of them regard as their "bible", reported that the police force was to be supplied with the Armalite rifle of the most terrible and devastating character? I want to give the Minister the opportunity of correcting that report for the benefit of the Members who are not here.
VISCOUNT COLVILLE OF CULROSSMy Lords, the reading material of my 242 noble friends is something that I should leave to them, but I appreciate the altruism of the noble Lord in giving me the opportunity to make the explanation I have. We now again have available the OFFICIAL REPORT, SO to-morrow my noble friends will be able to benefit from reading the answer that the noble Lord has given me an opportunity to provide.
§ LORD BROCKWAYMy Lords, can the noble Viscount give a further assurance that no police force is receiving this Armalite rifle, the ammunition for which can penetrate a wall, go through a room, through another wall and then finally kill a man? Can he give us an assurance that police forces are not receiving this weapon and that sharpshooters are not being trained with it, as was stated in the Evening Standard?
VISCOUNT COLVILLE OF CULROSSMy Lords, so far as I know, the police are not acquiring the Armalite rifle, but are having the L39A1. The Home Office have themselves carried out tests on it. It does not fire through walls. It is, however, accurate, efficient and suitable for the very, very rare occasions on which it might have to be used.
§ LORD WIGGMy Lords, a weapon of this kind, with a high velocity and a small bore, is a much better weapon, in the hands of a person trained to use it, than a shot gun.
VISCOUNT COLVILLE OF CULROSSMy Lords, I am sure the noble Lord is quite right. That is why the police forces, for those quite specific and extremely rare occasions, need to have it at their disposal.