§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made on proposals for the Ulster Defence Regiment to carry plastic bullets; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Cope[holding answer 9 February 1990]: A decision was taken last year that plastic baton round equipment could be made available to the Ulster Defence Regiment for use in carefully prescribed circumstances. There has been no change in the role of the regiment, which will continue not to be employed on crowd control duties.