The Code of Practice on Police Use of Firearms and Less Lethal Weapons 2003, made under section 39A of the Police Act 1996 determines the framework by which police forces use both conventional firearms and less lethal weapons. The Authorised Professional Practice on the Use of Force, Firearms and Less Lethal Weapons clearly states that \u201conly less lethal weapons that have been approved by the Secretary of State may be used by the UK police service.\u201d Water cannon is classed as a less lethal weapon and the Home Secretary\u2019s decision not to authorise its use followed the established authorisation process.<\/p>
The deployment of water cannon by police forces in England and Wales is therefore prohibited.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1091", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bates"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Bates"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-09-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "HL2189"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-09-17T11:39:41.86Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-09-15", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Police: Weapons"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government whether the current Code of Practice on the Police use of Firearms and Less Lethal Weapons specifically prohibits the Metropolitan Police Service from deploying water cannons; and whether that Code of Practice is binding upon chief constables.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4297", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb"} ], "uin" : "HL2225"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/418597", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Home Office"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/418597/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Code of Practice on Police Use of Firearms and Less Lethal Weapons 2003, made under section 39A of the Police Act 1996 determines the framework by which police forces use both conventional firearms and less lethal weapons. The Authorised Professional Practice on the Use of Force, Firearms and Less Lethal Weapons clearly states that \u201conly less lethal weapons that have been approved by the Secretary of State may be used by the UK police service.\u201d Water cannon is classed as a less lethal weapon and the Home Secretary\u2019s decision not to authorise its use followed the established authorisation process.<\/p>
The deployment of water cannon by police forces in England and Wales is therefore prohibited.<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1091", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Bates"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Bates"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-09-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "groupedQuestionUIN" : {"_value" : "HL2225"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-09-17T11:39:42.597Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Home Office"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-09-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Police: Weapons"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government what current legal controls are in place to prevent police forces from deploying weapons that are not officially authorised for use by the Home Office.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4297", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb"} ], "uin" : "HL2189"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/418620", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Transport"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/418620/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
There are already a number of measures in place to control motorcycle noise with manufacturers required to meet strict noise limits. We expect the European Commission to undertake a study of noise from new motorcycles and to make proposals for tougher limits that will apply from 2020. The Department for Transport will take an active role in future discussions, with the European Commission and Member States.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4210", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"} } , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-09-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-09-17T11:40:11.027Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "27"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Transport"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-09-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Motorcycles: Noise"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "2"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25277", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Lords"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask Her Majesty\u2019s Government whether they have any plans to reduce the noise of motorbikes on public roads.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/2479", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Lord Laird"} } , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Lord Laird"} ], "uin" : "HL2212"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/418624", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Business, Innovation and Skills"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/418624/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
We have had no such discussions. Operational matters, which include decisions relating to Royal Mail\u2019s postage stamps, are the direct responsibility of the company\u2019s management (subject to an agreed convention and criteria governing the designs of postage stamps carrying an image of The Queen\u2019s head, which are overseen by this Department).<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
<\/p>
The company maintains Country Definitives on an ongoing basis and has no current plans to change existing designs or its policy on such stamps. Country Definitives are available on an ongoing basis from post offices in the respective countries, and available direct from Royal Mail.<\/p>
<\/p>"} , "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4020", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for George Freeman"} } , "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Mid Norfolk"} , "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "George Freeman"} , "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2015-09-17", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2015-09-17T09:39:20.66Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} ]} , "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "26"} , "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"} , "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Business, Innovation and Skills"} , "date" : {"_value" : "2015-09-14", "_datatype" : "dateTime"} , "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Postage Stamps"} , "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"} , "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"} } ], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what recent discussions he has had with Royal Mail on the continued issuing of Country definitive postage stamps.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"} , "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4432", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Patrick Grady"} } , "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Glasgow North"} , "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Patrick Grady"} ], "uin" : "10191"} , {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/418659", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Work and Pensions"} ], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/418659/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : "
The Government set out its assessment of the impacts of the policies in the Welfare Reform and Work Bill on 20th July. A link to the impact assessment is included.<\/p>