§ Mr. LoydenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on how many occasions Merseyside police have used CS gas; what criteria apply in respect of its use; and if he will make a statement. [19616]
§ Mr. Maclean[holding answer 10 March 1997]: I understand that Merseyside police have used hand-held CS spray 300 times since 1 March 1996. The use of any form of force is governed by section 3 of the Criminal Law Act 1967. The Association of Chief Police Officers has issued guidelines to forces on the use of CS spray.
132W