§ Mr. SedgemoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary asked for information on the testing of(a) the weapons used to fire plastic baton rounds and (b) plastic baton rounds during his inspection in 1996. [6114]
§ Mr. IngramHer Majesty's Inspector was asked to examine the RUC's use of plastic baton rounds, not the baton rounds themselves and the weapons used to fire them. Nevertheless, during the course of his inspection he satisfied himself that all weapons are tested prior to being taken into use and in the event of a complaint being received as a result of an incident involving the use of a baton gun, the weapon is tested to assess the accuracy of its sighting system and to assess that it functions correctly.
§ Mr. SedgemoreTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary was informed of the results of tests carried out in 1995 on plastic baton rounds when he discussed the subject with officers at all levels during 1996. [6112]
§ Mr. IngramAt the time Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary carried out his inspection it would have been impossible for the RUC to inform him of the results of tests carried out in 1995 on plastic baton rounds, since they were not aware of them.