§ Mr. McNamaraTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what trials are being undertaken of(a) the advanced taser M26, (b) the laser dazzler, (c) the bean bag and (d) pepper spray; what the specifications are for each test; what police forces or other bodies have been approached or agreed to conduct further trials; what his estimate is of the cost of each trial programme; and what social impact assessment he will commission for each weapon. [158789]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeA wide range of technologies which could be used by the police for self-protection and the maintenance of law and order is currently being considered by the Home Office Police Scientific534W Development Branch (PSDB), including the advanced air taser, laser dazzler and bean bag. This programme of work responds to an operational requirement set by the Association of Chief Police Officers. A preliminary review of the available equipment has recently been published by the Northern Ireland Office in relation to the Patten Report recommendations on seeking potentially less lethal alternatives to Plastic Baton Rounds. The fact that items are being studied does not of course mean that they will necessarily come into police use.
Pepper spray has been discounted for use in the United Kingdom, but Sussex police are trialling a synthetic version of the spray, PAVA, in one of their Divisions.
The total cost of the work being carried out for the Home Office at PSDB is £402,000. Formal social impact assessments are not carried out as part of this programme, but all relevant factors would be considered before any decision to recommend police use of any of the equipment in question.