§ Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many rubber bullets were fired in Northern Ireland in each of the calendar years from 1972 to 1976;
(2) how many rubber bullets were fired in Northern Ireland in each of the calendar years 1969 to 1976, inclusive.
§ Mr. WellbelovedThe numbers of baton rounds fired operationally in Northern Ireland during each of the years in question are as follows:
- 1969, nil.
- From July 1970, 238 rubber rounds.
- 1971, 16,782 rubber rounds.
- 1972, 23,363 rubber rounds.
- 1973, 12,766 rubber rounds.
- 1974, 2,828 rubber and plastic rounds.
- 1975, 3,701 rubber and plastic rounds.
- 1976, 3,464 plastic rounds.
§ Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the impact energy of a plastic bullet at ranges of five yards, 15 yards, 25 yards, 50 yards, and 75 yards; and what are its dimensions, weight, and muzzle velocity.
§ Mr. WellbelovedThe 25 grain plastic—PVC—round currently used in Northern Ireland weighs approximately 135 grams, is 3½ in. long and 1½ in. in diameter. Details of its kinetic energy and velocity are as follows:
§ Mr. WellbelovedThe rubber baton round which was in service in Northern Ireland from July 1970 to the end of 1975 weighs approximately 150 grms. Details of its kinetic energy and velocity after direct fire are as follows:
§ Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1 what types of injuries, and how many, have resulted from the impact of rubber bullets used by the Army in Northern Ireland to the end of 1976; (2) what types of injuries, and how many, have resulted from the impact of plastic bullets used by the Army in Northern Ireland, to the end of 1976.
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§ Mr. WellbelovedI regret that this information is not available.
§ Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for Defence, on the basis of tests carried out prior to the introduction of plastic bullets and rubber bullets, respectively, into service, what levels of impact energy were regarded as providing an acceptable level of risk in each case.
§ Mr. WellbelovedIn assessing an acceptable level of risk a wide range of factors were taken into account. To single out one factor alone would be misleading.
§ Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for Defence what numerical predictions were made of the likely death and injury rates from rubber bullets and plastic bullets, respectively, per thousand rounds fired, based on the tests carried out prior to introduction.
§ Mr. WellbelovedA report produced by surgeons in Northern Ireland and published in the British Journal of Surgery in 1975 indicated that of 33,000 rubber bullets fired up to the time of its inquiries, 40 substantial injuries had resulted including two fatalities. Comparable information on PVC bullets is not available. Assessments of this kind necessarily have to be broadly based but appear to agree reasonably well with such evidence as there is of experience in use.
§ Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether testing of rubber bullets on live animals was carried out during 1975 and 1976; and for what purpose.
§ Mr. WellbelovedNo tests involving rubber bullets and live animals were carried out in 1975 and 1976.
§ Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Secretary of State for Defence what test procedures were carried out on the rubber bullet and the plastic bullet, respectively, before their introduction into active service with the Army; and on how many subjects, on how many animal subjects—of which kinds—an what parts of the anatomy, at what ranges and where the tests were conducted.
§ Mr. WellbelovedTests were carried out at the Chemical Defence Establish-332W ment Porton prior to the introduction into service of the rubber and plastic baton rounds to ensure that the rules governing their use were such as to minimise the risk of injury. The tests involved relevant parts of the anatomy of live sheep. The sheep were all anaesthetised and not allowed to regain consciousness. The number used for this purpose is not available.