ARMING THE POLICE

Early day motion 764, tabled 24 February 2003 by Lord Stratford (Labour). Signed by 10 members.

That this House notes with concern the growing number of crimes involving the use of guns and knives; further notes the increasing presence of armed police within United Kingdom towns and cities; and calls upon the Home Secretary to encourage the widest possible debate in Parliament and elsewhere in a proposal for the routine arming of the police and to organise a referendum amongst all serving regular and special police officers on the issue.

Signatures by party: Labour 5, Liberal Democrat 4, Plaid Cymru 1.