§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many plastic bullets have been fired in Northern Ireland since 11 May; in what circumstances and in what areas the bullets were fired; and how many persons were injured as a result of the use of plastic bullets since that date.
§ Mr. ScottSince 11 May 1983, 84 plastic baton rounds have been fired in Northern Ireland. No injuries are known to have resulted. The circumstances were as follows
During the evening of 13 May in Londonderry, following rioting in which some 100 youths had hijacked five vehicles and set them on fire, and shots had been fired at a police Landrover, the police fired two plastic baton rounds to extricate themselves from an attack on their vehicles by 50 to 80 youths, during which approximately 40 petrol bombs were thrown; one hit was observed and no injuries were reported.Over the night of 21/22 May approximately 200 youths were responsible for sustained rioting in Londonderry; a public house was set on fire, and a lorry and a bus were hijacked and set on fire; over 500 petrol bombs were thrown and nine live shots were fired at the police, who returned fire; 44 baton rounds were also fired by the police in an effort to control the riot, but no injuries were reported; during the course of the night two policemen were slightly injured and one person was arrested; the police recovered, and made safe, three crates of petrol bombs.Over the night of 28/29 May in Londonderry, during rioting started by about 60 to 100 youths, in the course of which some 350 petrol bombs were thrown, the police fired 38 plastic baton rounds to disperse rioters and observed four hits; no injuries were reported.