§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he is satisfied with the guidelines issued concerning the use of rubber and plastic bullets; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ScottRubber baton rounds have not been generally issued to the security forces in Northern Ireland since 1975. I am satisfied that the operational instructions for the use of plastic baton rounds which are kept under constant review, take account of the circumstances in which baton rounds may need to be used in Northern Ireland, the need to minimise as far as possible the risk of injury, and the relevant legal implications.
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§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much compensation has been paid to victims of injury or death due to the use of plastic bullets in each of the past six years to the latest date.
§ Mr. ScottThis information is not readily available and could be provided by the Northern Ireland Office and the Ministry of Defence only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. Parryasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have been injured by rubber bullets in each of the past six years to the latest date.
§ Mr. ScottRubber baton rounds were withdrawn from general use by the security forces in 1975, and no one is known to have been injured by such rounds since that time.