HC Deb 31 October 2000 vol 355 cc442-3W
Mr. Gareth Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the use of hand guns by police officers in England and Wales. [134714]

Mr. Charles Clarke

The use of firearms by police officers is governed by section 3 of the Criminal Law Act 1967, which requires that the use of force in the prevention of crime or apprehension of offenders must be reasonable in all the circumstances, and by operational guidance provided by the Association of Chief Police Officers.

The deployment of armed officers in accordance with the relevant legislation and guidance is an operational matter for individual chief officers of police.