§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to make funds available to chief constables to ensure that all police officers have ready access to bullet-proof vests and/or knife-proof vests; and if he will make a statement. [27308]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonIt is for police authorities to fund provision of equipment for their forces. The Scottish Office would pay police grant in the usual way at 51 per cent. of expenditure on such provision.