§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which European countries routinely supply their police officers with body armour. [25149]
§ Mr. MacleanWe do not have this information.
§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many(a) bullet-proof and (b) knife-proof vests have been supplied to police officers in each police division in England; [25148]
(2) how many police officers have been supplied with (a) knife-proof body armour and (b) bullet-proof body armour; and what proportion this constitutes of all police officers. [25141]
§ Mr. MacleanThis information is not kept centrally.
§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research his Department is carrying out into body armour for police officers which is both knife and bullet proof. [25155]
§ Mr. MacleanThe police scientific development branch of the Home Office has a continuous programme of evaluating the latest developments in this field. It has in addition, developed test standards and procedures which are provided to manufacturers.
§ Mrs. RocheTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects body armour to be supplied to all police officers in England and Wales. [25142]
§ Mr. MacleanThis is a matter for chief officers of police. I understand, however, that all officers involved in firearms operations are issued with ballistic protection.