USE OF PLASTIC BULLETS

Early day motion 191A1, tabled 19 July 2001 by Kevin McNamara (Labour). Signed by 4 members.

leave out from 'House' to end and add 'recalls the condemnation of the use of plastic bullets by the European Parliament and by the United Nations Committee Against Torture; further recalls the conclusion of the Patten Commission that urgent work be undertaken to find a socially acceptable alternative to the use of plastic baton rounds; notes the decision to re-equip police and military personnel with the L21A1 version of the plastic baton round on 1st June; also notes the Defence Scientific Advisory Council report that revealed the new baton round will, at all target ranges, exceed the recommended maximum kinetic energy level for a weapon to be deemed less than lethal; praises the selfless resilience of the plastic bullet victims and relatives of victims in their continued opposition to the use of these lethal weapons; and further notes and endorses the call made by the Northern Ireland Commission for Human Rights for the Chief Constable to declare he will no longer sanction the use of plastic bullets as a method of crowd control and that the Government intensify its efforts to develop other, safer methods, particularly when children are involved.'.

Signatures by party: Labour 3, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.