§ Mr. Chris Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the Metropolitan police have requested the removal of the two water cannon sited at the Riverway centre in Greenwich; what scientific tests are proposed on the use of these water cannon; and whether live animals will be used in these tests.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe Metropolitan police are working with the Home Office in evaluating the two prototype water cannon with the aim of establishing whether water cannon have a role to play in the policing of serious public disorder. In this connection, the two prototypes have been temporarily moved from Greenwich. There are no plans for tests involving live animals.