§ 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 1989; in how many cases the complaint has been upheld; and in how many cases disciplinary action has been taken against the officers involved.
§ Mr. Cope[holding answer 4 July 1990]: During 1989, seven complaints were made concerning the use of plastic baton rounds by the Royal Ulster Constabulary. One case was subsequently withdrawn. Three cases have been investigated and files forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions, who directed no prosecution in each case. No disciplinary action has been recommended in any of these cases. The other three cases are at present under investigation.