HC Deb 18 January 1995 vol 252 cc578-9W
Mr. Malcolm Bruce

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information his Department has in respect of(a) past and (b) present production of electro-shock weapons at ICL Technical Plastics in Glasgow; what approval his Department has given for such production; and what support he has given (i) directly and (ii) indirectly for the export of such goods.

Mr. Stewart

The Scottish Office does not have, and never has had, any information about the production of electro-shock weapons at ICL Plastics Ltd. nor has the Department ever given, or been asked to give, approval for such production.

Scottish Trade International, the export arm of the Scottish Office and Scottish Enterprise, had some discussions in 1993 with the company about the marketing of a range of conventional riot gear which had been already sold to police forces within the United Kingdom. No mention of electro-shock weapons or similar products has ever been made to officials. The company has not had any direct or indirect financial support from STI.