§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many formal complaints have been made about incidents of police use of plastic baton rounds in each year since 1979; in how many cases the complaint has been upheld; and in how many cases disciplinary action has been taken against the officers involved.
§ Mr. Hurd[pursuant to his reply, 7 December 1984, c. 298]: The information is as follows:
Complaints against police use of plastic baton rounds Year Complaints Received Complaints Upheld Disciplinary Action Taken 1979 None None None 1980 6 None None 1981 60 *1 1 1982 6 None None 1983 5 None None †l984 7 None None * The investigation of one case is in abeyance pending the result of litigation being pursued by the complainant. † To 30 November 1984.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many persons have been injured by the use of plastic baton rounds in the Province to the latest available date; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Hurd[pursuant to his reply, 10 December 1984, c. 349]: Since 17 March 1981, when records where first collated, 247 people are recorded as having been injured by plastic baton rounds. Police investigations of a further 50 cases where baton round injuries were alleged, have established that the injuries were not caused by this means.