§ Mr. BeithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what authorisation he has given for(a) the testing and (b) the use of electric shields or electric batons by the police.
§ Mr. MacleanNone. Chief officers are responsible for deciding what equipment to obtain, and except for the Metropolitan police, where my right hon. and learned Friend is police authority, do not require his authorisation. No chief officer possesses or, so far as the Home Office is aware, is considering the introduction of such equipment for use against people. My right hon. and learned Friend would certainly expect to be consulted about any such proposal. I understand that some chief officers have obtained electric shock equipment to protect officers against ferocious dogs in pre-planned operations.