§ Lord Westburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have received the report of HM Inspector of Constabulary on the Hungerford incident; and if they will make a statement.
§ The Earl of ArranMy right honourable friend the Home Secretary has received the report of HM Inspector of Constabulary and has today placed in the Library a summary of it which includes all his conclusions and recommendations. Most of these are for chief officers to consider and HM Chief Inspector of Constabulary will be bringing them to the attention of the Association of Chief Police Officers for this purpose. Some of the recommendations in relation to communications will be pursued by the Home Office Police Department Science and Technology Group. Recommendations concerning firearms law are being considered in the context of the legislative changes proposed in the Firearms (Amendment) Bill. The recommendations which touch on the police use of firearms and in particular the use of armed response units will be considered by the Home Office Working Party on Police Use of Firearms.