HL Deb 03 December 2001 vol 629 cc77-8WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

When the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission will stop stating that plastic baton rounds are used by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (incorporating the Royal Ulster Constabulary) for crowd control purposes, despite statements by the Chief Constable to the contrary. [HL1282]

The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn)

The Chief Constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland has made clear that baton rounds are never used for crowd control purposes. How this is reflected in statements made by the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission is a matter for the commission itself. The Chief Commissioner has been asked to write to the noble Lord. A copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.