§ Mr. Maxwell-Hyslopasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the establishment of firearms held by police authorities to issue to police forces when circumstances warrant such action; at what level such supplies of firearms are held; and what rank of police officer can authorise their issue and use.
§ Sir F. SoskiceThe number of firearms kept for police purposes and the arrangements for holding them and authorising their use are settled locally and vary from force to force according to the circumstances of each. In the case of the Metropolitan Police, firearms are, in general, held at police stations and their issue is a matter for the officerin-charge, acting as appropriate on the orders of his superior officers.