§ Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many claims for damages have been made to date for alleged injury by (a) plastic bullets and (b) rubber bullets fired by (i) the Army and (ii) the Royal Ulster Constabulary in Northern Ireland; what have been the results so far; in how many cases liability has been admitted; and what have been the total damages paid.
§ Mr. John Patten[pursuant to his reply, 25 February 1982, c. 467]: Since 12 May 1981, 45 claims for civil damages have been lodged with the Ministry of Defence for injuries allegedly caused by baton rounds fired by the Armed Forces. All related to plastic rounds. For the period before 12 May 1981, the information requested could be obtained only at disproportionate cost, as records for that period do not distinguish between claims for damages arising from alleged baton round injuries and other types of civil claim.
The Police Authority for Northern Ireland has received a total of 34 claims for civil damages relating to personal injuries allegedly caused by baton rounds fired by the police. 27 of these claims related to plastic rounds, six to rubber rounds, and one claim did not specify the type of round.
Legal liability has not been admitted in respect of any claim and no damages have been paid.