§ Mrs. BrintonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what action his Department has taken following the publication of the report of the Committee on Toxicity, Mutagenicity and Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment on CS spray, published in September of last year, particularly with regard to those being treated with neuroleptic drugs; and if he will make a statement. [111804]
§ Yvette CooperMy right hon. Friend the Home Secretary has considered the Committee of Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment's (COT) report on the operational use of CS spray by police officers, and has concluded that there are no grounds to remove CS spray from police use. The Association of Chief Police Officers has noted the report and accepted its finding that CS spray should be used only within current operational guidelines.
The COT recommended follow-up studies on individuals treated for the immediate effects of CS spray. The Department of Health is providing technical advice to the Home Office as that Department develops practical ways to take forward this recommendation, which will include gathering information on affected individual's use of neuroleptic drugs.