§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many formal complaints have been made about incidents of police use of plastic baton rounds in 1988 and in the first six months of the current year.; in how many cases the complaint has been upheld; and in how many cases disciplinary action has been taken against the officers involved.
§ Mr. CopeDuring 1988, seven formal complaints were made about the use of plastic baton rounds by the Royal Ulster Constabulary. Three were later withdrawn. Police reports on the other four were sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions who directed no prosecution on each. The question of disciplinary action is now being considered by the deputy Chief Constable and in due course papers will be referred to the independent Commission for Police Complaints.
During the first six months of 1989, four formal complaints were received all of which are currently under investigation.