§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research is being conducted by the Police Scientific Development Branch into the incapacitant spray PAVA; what is the aim of this research; for what reason it has been started; when this research began; when it is expected to end; and if the results of this research will be published. [88439]
§ Mr. BoatengSome research has been commissioned privately by Hertfordshire Constabulary into the use of Pelargonic Acid Vanillylamide (PAVA) as a potential incapacitant spray. The Police Scientific Development Branch (PSDB) are not conducting any research into PAVA at present. Discussions have been held with Hertfordshire Constabulary to assess the research they have carried out to date and to assess what still needs to be done before PAVA could be considered for use in the United Kingdom. No decision has yet been taken on the future involvement of PSDB in any further research.