§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many female police officers are currently qualified to carry firearms; what were the figures five and 10 years ago; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will list by year for the last 10 years (a) in how many operations firearms were issued to female police officers and (b) in how many of these operations shots were fired by female police officers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Ian StewartThe information is not available in the form requested. However I understand from the chief constable that female officers in the RUC do not normally carry firearms, nor are firearms normally issued to officers in respect of specific operations.