§ 31. Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the regulations covering the issue of guns to police officers: and in what way these regulations have been changed over the last five years.
§ Mr. CarlisleThe issue of firearms to police officers is a matter within the discretion of the chief officer of police concerned.
In general the policy, which has not been changed in recent years, is that firearms are issued only when there is reason to suppose that a police officer may have to face an armed man or, on a limited scale, for protection purposes.
§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will call for reports from chief constables on the number of times in each of the last three years guns have been issued to police officers, and the number of times they have been used.
§ Mr. CarlisleThe issue of guns is a matter for chief officers of police. I am considering with them what information can be obtained, and shall write to the hon. Member.