§ Mr. Wrightasked the Secretary of State for Scotland on which occasions police are issued with arms; whether he is satisfied with the arrangements for equipping them with arms when they are needed; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RossIt is for chief constables to determine on which occasions firearms should be provided to policemen and to make the appropriate arrangements for their issue. In accordance with the assurance I gave to the Scottish Police Federation on 8th January, I am arranging to discuss with chief constables the arrangements for issuing arms when they are needed.