§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the value of the contingency fund that he has established to meet damages claims for injuries caused by CS gas to civilians and police officers. [8282]
§ Mr. MacleanMy right hon. and learned Friend has not established such a fund.
§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make it his policy to incorporate the guidelines established by the Himsworth committee into authorisations given to United Kingdom police forces relating to the use of CS gas; [8280]
(2) what guidelines have been issued to United Kingdom police forces concerning the operational use of CS gas canisters; [8284]
262W(3) if the authorisation granted to United Kingdom police forces to use CS gas extends to members of the special constabulary; [8281]
(4) if guidelines issued by his Department to local police forces regarding the use of CS gas are legally binding. [8285]
§ Mr. MacleanMy right hon. and learned Friend has not issued guidelines on the use of CS spray. The Association of Chief Police Officers has issued operational guidance, which is not legally binding. Individual police officers must comply with the criminal law in relation to any use of force. The Himsworth report's conclusions and recommendations were fully taken into account in the decision to adopt CS spray, and are reflected in the operational guidance, and in guidance to chief officers on the purchase of CS equipment. It is open to chief officers to issue special constables with CS spray.
§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the strength of the CS gas used in the United Kingdom relative to that used in the United States of America. [8283]
§ Mr. MacleanThe weight to volume concentration of CS currently used by police forces in England and Wales is 5 per cent. the same as in France. I understand that some law enforcement agencies in the United States of America have used sprays with 1 to 2 per cent. concentrations, but because of concerns about its effectiveness, many have moved to pepper sprays.
§ Mrs. ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many CS sprays are being acquired by United Kingdom police forces; what is the country of origin of these devices; and which companies manufacture them. [8279]
§ Mr. MacleanThe figure requested is not centrally available. A total of 3,800 officers carried CS spray canisters for the trials which took place in 16 forces in England and Wales between March and August this year. The canisters were manufactured by SAE Alsetex of France.