§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many times the armed forces have used CR tear gas since 1968; on what dates CR gas was used; for what reasons; and in what circumstances the armed forces have been authorised to use CR tear gas since 1968. [63842]
§ Mr. SpellarWe have no records of CR having been used operationally by the Armed Forces. I understand that a small amount, however, has been used for training purposes in the past, but details of when this took place are not readily available and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
CR was authorised to be held in readiness for use in Northern Ireland in October 1973. Its possible use has also been authorised on a small number of occasions where the armed forces have responded to a request for assistance for law enforcement purposes from the civil power. CR is only authorised as a non-lethal self-defence option where the risk to the safety of military personnel is considered particularly high.