HC Deb 03 February 1983 vol 36 c160W
27. Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will issue a circular to police forces proposing the use of tranquilliser darts, rather than real bullets, in all possible circumstances, in order to avoid danger to criminals and innocent people.

Mr. Mayhew

This suggestion has been carefully examined in the past but has been rejected. In circumstances where the police would be justified in using firearms a tranquillising weapon would be too slow and uncertain in its effects to be effective. In circumstances falling short of justifying firearms a tranquillising weapon would be unsuitable because of the risk that it could kill the target if, for example, a dart struck the head.