§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what research(a) his Department and (b) the Police Scientific Development Branch have carried out to analyse the concentrations of CS and CS sprays which have been purchased by police forces since 1996; when this research was carried out; what were the results of this research; and if he will place the results of this research in the Library; [53152]
(2) pursuant to his answer of 16 June 1998, Official Report, columns 173–4, on CS spray, if he will place in the Library copies of the documentation of the competitive national tendering process managed by the Metropolitan Police on behalf of the Association of Chief Police Officers on the purchase of CS sprays; [53155]
824W(3) if he will place in the Library a copy of the aerosol incapacitants guidelines governing the use of CS spray by police officers; [53154]
(4) pursuant to his answer of 16 June 1998, Official Report, columns 173–74, on CS spray, what studies his Department has undertaken into the concentrations of CS in CS sprays which are used by police officers in the United States of America; and what conclusions were drawn from them; [53151]
(5) if his Department or the Police Scientific Development Branch are aware of, or have been informed of, any research carried out by police forces to analyse the concentrations of CS in CS sprays which have been purchased by police forces since 1996; when this research was carried out; who carried out this research; what were the results of this research; and if he will make a statement. [53156]
§ Mr. MichaelA copy of the invitation to tender is being obtained and will be placed in the Library shortly. Documents submitted by tenderers will not be placed in the Library because of their commercially sensitive nature.
CS spray has not been widely used by police officers in the United States of America. From the limited information available from its use there, it appears that concentrations of 1 or 2 per cent. are not effective as an incapacitant. The reasons for choosing a 5 per cent. concentration were given in the Answer I gave to my hon. Friend on 16 June 1998, Official Report, column 266.
In November 1996, an analysis arranged by Avon and Somerset Constabulary of one canister showed a concentration of 6.8 per cent. weight to volume. The Home Office Police Scientific Development Branch arranged for a further two canisters to be analysed, and discovered concentrations of 5.4 per cent. and 6.1 per cent. Canisters were not withdrawn because the small additional amounts of CS which would be delivered operationally were not significant. A copy of a note by the Police Scientific Development Branch dated 4 February 1997 and entitled "CS Concentration in Alsetes Spray" has been placed in the Library. The concentration of CS in equipment supplied to police forces is set out in the specification issued jointly by the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Police Scientific Development Branch in March 1997, copies of which have previously been placed in the Library. CS concentrations were tested as part of the national tendering process and any product purchased as part of that process should comply with the specification.
Individual chief officers are responsible for ensuring that the equipment they issue to their officers is of the appropriate specification. Copies of guidelines issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers on police use of CS spray are already in the Library.