HC Deb 23 July 1974 vol 877 c451W
Mr. Edelman

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will obtain reports from chief constables on what are their instructions in connection with the employment of the drills appropriate to the use of truncheons by the police to subdue alleged malefactors.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

As I said in reply to a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Paddington (Mr. Latham) on 25th June, the general principle is that the police should use truncheons only if they are violently attacked. This principle is well understood throughout the police service.