§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many plastic bullets have been fired 648W in Northern Ireland during 1983 by month; in what circumstances and at what locations the bullets were fired; and whether any persons were injured as a result of the use of plastic bullets.
§ Mr. Scott[pursuant to Ins reply, 18 January 1984, c. 265]: In 1983, 661 plastic baton rounds were fired by the security forces in Northern Ireland. The following table shows the months in which they were fired.
Month Baton Rounds Fired by Army Baton Rounds Fired by RUC Total January 3 1 4 February 0 0 0 March 0 1 1 April 0 37 37 May 0 107 107 June 0 0 0 July 16 116 132 August 85 277 362 September 2 0 2 October 2 5 7 November 8 1 9 December 0 0 0 116 545 661 During 1983, eight people received some form of hospital treatment for injuries thought to have been caused by plastic baton rounds.
I am writing to the hon. Member with the information he has requested about the circumstances and locations in which these 661 baton rounds were fired. A copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.