§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what research he has(a) undertaken and (b) commissioned into pepper foam and pepper spray;
(2) what assessment he has made of the dangers of the public use of pepper foam and pepper spray.
§ Mr. MacleanThe Home Office police scientific development branch has reviewed all the available information about the effects of incapacitant products containing oleoresin capsicum. My right hon. and learned Friend has commissioned research into the possible carcinogenic effects of oleoresin capsicum's main incapacitating ingredient, capsaicin. He expects to receive the final results of the research very shortly.