HC Deb 11 November 1968 vol 773 cc44-5W
Mr. Macdonald

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to receive the report of the working party set up by the Central Conference of Chief Constables to consider the types of gun used to discharge devices containing CS gas.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

The report was considered by the Central Conference on 7th November.

Mr. Macdonald

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will seek powers to enable him to set an upper limit to the stocks of devices containing CS gas that may be held by police forces.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer to his Questions on 7th November. I see no reason to seek the powers suggested.—[Vol. 772, c.138.]

Mr. Macdonald

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will seek powers to enable him to set an upper limit to the stocks of CS gas that may be held by private firms in this country.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

Section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968, and the Transfer of Functions (Prohibited Weapons) Order 1968 already confer on my right hon. Friend powers of control over the possession of ammunition containing CS. He has no reason to think that present stocks exceed what is reasonable for the purposes for which they may be held.

Mr. Macdonald

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are taken by his Department to ensure that stocks of CS gas either sold by Her Majesty's Government to private firms or imported under licence into this country are held in conditions of maximum security and safety.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

Conditions as to security and safety may be attached to the grant of an authority under section 5 of the Firearms Act 1968 for the possession, purchase, acquisition, manufacture, sale or transfer of ammunition containing CS or any weapon for its discharge. In addition, any dealer in such weapons or ammunition must be registered with the police, who may impose conditions as to security; and any individual who wishes to have such a weapon or ammunition must first obtain a firearm certificate, which contains a prescribed condition as to security.