§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which UK police forces have had CS gas issued to them since 1968. [63929]
§ Mr. BoatengAll police forces in England and Wales have issued their officers with CS incapacitant spray except Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Sussex. An operational pilot has recently been completed in two forces in Scotland: Strathclyde and Tayside. CS incapacitant spray is not issued in Northern Ireland.
CS dispersed in smoke for use in situations of public disorder has been available to all police forces since 1968 for use as a tactical option. It is a matter for individual chief officers of police to decide whether to hold CS for this purpose.