HC Deb 10 December 1992 vol 215 c735W
Mr. Tony Banks

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has held with the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis on the policy of stop and search exercises involving armed police officers; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Charles Wardle

The exercise by the Metropolitan police of their statutory powers to stop vehicles and, if necessary, to search them is an operational matter and as such falls within the discretion of the Commissioner. So, too, does the decision when, and in what manner, armed police should be deployed in support of such operations.