§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what consideration was given to the use of water cannon before he agreed to the use of baton rounds by police in Great Britain.
§ Mr. Giles ShawBaton rounds were first made available to the police in England and Wales following the serious rioting in 1981. The Department was aware that water cannon were used by some countries for public order purposes, but also that they had rarely proved effective in Northern Ireland. The possible use of water cannon has been kept under review since 1981 and two prototype water cannon have been built, but their evaluation has not yet been completed.