Written question asked by Lord Taylor of Goss Moor (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 25 February 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 March 1999. It was answered by Henry McLeish (Labour) on Monday, 8 March 1999 on behalf of the Scottish Office.

Scottish Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, which police forces in Scotland (a) have and (b) have not equipped their officers with CS sprays since August 1996; for what reasons they were issued; and how many police officers in Scotland currently carry CS sprays.

Answer: Mr. Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which police forces in Scotland (a) have and (b) have not equipped their officers with CS sprays since August 1996; for what reasons they were issued; and how many police officers in Scotland currently carry CS sprays. [74199] Mr. McLeish: CS incapacitant spray is not in general use by the police service in Scotland. The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS) conducted a trial into the effectiveness of CS incapacitant spray as an item of police defence equipment during the period 1 October 1997 to 30 September 1998. The trial areas encompassed the City of Dundee in the Tayside Police area and a Division in the Strathclyde Police area. In total, 803 officers were trained to use the equipment in these pilot areas. An evaluation of the trial has been completed but ACPOS have deferred a decision on extending the use of the spray pending an independent assessment on the safety of the spray commissioned by the Department of Health. The spray continues to be used by officers in the 2 trial areas. From 1 July 1999 this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.

Secondary information