§ Mr. Patchettasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the occasions on which he has been asked since 1979 to use his powers under the Police 644W Act 1964 so as to allow for the possession of plastic baton rounds by a police force in England and Wales; what was the police force involved in each case; and if he will state the nature of his response in each case.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggTo date there has been one occasion on which, under the procedure set out in my reply of 19 May 1986 to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Lancashire, West (Mr. Hind) at columns15–16, a chief constable has asked the Department to supply baton rounds following a refusal by the police authority to authorise purchase. The force concerned was the West Yorkshire police. The baton rounds were supplied.
§ Mr. Patchettasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations he has received from members of police authorities against the possession of plastic baton rounds by their police force; and if he will state the police force concerned in each case and the nature of his response.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggSince we announced the setting up of a central store of plastic baton rounds and CS equipment on 19 May 1986, we have received representations either against the central store arrangements, or against the use of baton rounds generally, from the police authorities for Cleveland, Gwent, Merseyside, Northumbria, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire. The responses have varied according to the particular points raised. The representations made have not caused us to change the policy announced in the replies of 26 November 1985 to a Question from my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Mid-Bedfordshire (Mr. Lyell) at columns515–16 and 19 May 1986 to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Lancashire, West (Mr. Hind) at columns 15–16.