§ Mr. ShersbyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what consideration is being given by the police security scientific development branch to the production of a standard for(a) a knife-proof vest and (b) a bullet-resistant vest; when he expects a standard to be adopted; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what offers his Department has received from manufacturers of knife-proof and bullet-resistant vests to pay for the testing and approval of such equipment; if he will make it his policy to take advantage of such offers to enable a testing programme to be carried out quickly; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Charles WardleThe police scientific development branch—PSDB—has published standard procedures and criteria which it uses in assessing both types of vest.
5WNo offers have been received from manufacturers to fund the testing of such equipment. It is primarily for chief officers of police and their police authorities to decide on the equipment to be used in an individual force. PSDB carries out tests on such equipment as part of its function as a research and development organisation and gives advice to police forces on the equipment's performance and characteristics. Charging manufacturers for testing products would compromise the PSDB's independence and reduce its capability to respond to the requirements of the police and the Home Office.