HC Deb 18 June 1980 vol 986 c523W
Mr. Cadbury

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is satisfied that the procedure regarding the use of firearms by the police in dealing with kidnappings is adequately defined.

Mr. Whitelaw

The use of firearms by the police is an operational matter for individual chief officers. The general policy is that a police officer would use a firearm only when it appeared necessary to do so in order to protect his own life or that of some other person. I have no reason to think that this policy is not adequately reflected in police orders and training.