§ Mr. SedgemoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the guidelines for the use of plastic bullets. [6110]
§ Dr. ReidI will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. SedgemoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence who authorises the use of plastic baton rounds by the Army in Northern Ireland. [6111]
§ Dr. ReidNormally the use of plastic baton rounds must be authorised by a commander not below the rank of sergeant.
§ Mr. SedgemoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date the Heckler and Koch baton gun (Model L104A1) was introduced for use in Northern Ireland. [6108]
§ Dr. ReidThe Heckler and Koch baton gun (Model L104A1) was introduced for use in Northern Ireland on 1 June 1994.
§ Mr. SedgemoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) who is responsible for testing the accuracy of the plastic baton rounds used by the RUC and the Army in Northern Ireland. [6109]
(2) who is responsible for testing the accuracy of plastic baton rounds fired by the RUC and the Army in Northern Ireland. [6105]
§ Mr. SpellarThe baton gun manufacturer was responsible for testing the accuracy of all guns as a part of the manufacturer's acceptance test. The user of the gun is responsible for maintaining its accuracy during training.
The baton round manufacturer is responsible for testing all batches of baton rounds at the time of manufacture, including accuracy firings, to enable the Ministry of Defence to accept them against the proof specification.
§ Mr. SedgemoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what circumstances routine Army foot patrols in Northern Ireland carry plastic baton guns. [6113]
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