HC Deb 04 December 1996 vol 286 cc707-8W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when the Police Authority for Northern Ireland will publish its submission to Her Majesty's inspector of constabulary about the use of plastic baton rounds. [6097]

Sir John Wheeler

During a recent annual inspection of the RUC, the Police Authority had two meetings with Her Majesty's inspector of constabulary at which the issue of plastic baton rounds was discussed in detail. In the light of these discussions the authority concluded that it would not be necessary to provide a written submission to the inspector given the nature of his inquiry into plastic baton rounds.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects to(a) receive and (b) publish the findings of Her Majesty's inspector of constabulary about the use of plastic baton rounds in Northern Ireland. [6098]

Sir John Wheeler

The Secretary of State expects to receive Her Majesty's inspector of constabulary's report on the 1996 inspection of the Royal Ulster Constabulary, which will include his scrutiny of the use of plastic baton rounds by the RUC, shortly. It will be published as soon as practicable.