§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what was the cost to central funds of the Hard Arrest programme; and what further research has been carried out on the operation, safety or use of el ectro-shock equipment; [3817]
(2) what was the duration of the Hard Arrests trial programme; and what equipment, policy issues and training were involved. [3816]
§ Mr. MichaelI understand that these questions relate to the possible development of electric shock shields for use against people. Neither my Department nor the police service have any knowledge of the Hard Arrests trial programme, or of any other programme of development, testing or training in the use of such equipment in this country.
Chief officers of police, with their police authorities, are responsible for deciding what equipment to obtain for their officers, either for testing or for introduction. A number of forces have electric-shock shields and cattle prods for use against ferocious dogs, but no force has such equipment for use against people.
In 1990, the Forensic Science Service published a theoretical assessment of the effects of electric shock weapons.