§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many armed officers are involved in the current action to stop terrorism in London; and if he will make a statement;
(2) where and by whom the decision was taken to allow armed officers to set up road blocks in London; arid if he will make a statement.
§ Ms. GordonTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what constraints have been placed on the use of sub-machine guns and other firearms by the police in setting up road blocks; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThe decision whether to deploy armed officers in support of police operations is an operational matter and as such falls within the discretion of chief officers. A copy of the Home Office Guidelines for the Police on the Issue and Use of Firearms, which apply in such circumstances, has been placed in the Library. It would not be in the public interest to reveal the number of armed officers deployed in counter-terrorist operations in London.