Written question asked by Lynne Jones (Labour) on Thursday, 6 March 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 13 March 2003. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Thursday, 13 March 2003 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether it is the British Government's policy to forbid British armed forces from handling riot control agents such as CS gas and pepper spray during wartime; what the British Government's policy is on British armed forces taking part in joint military operations with other countries where riot control agents are used.

Answer: Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether it is the British Government's policy to forbid British armed forces from handling riot control agents such as CS gas and pepper spray during wartime; [102413] (2) what the British Government's policy is on British armed forces taking part in joint military operations with other countries where riot control agents are used. [102412] Mr. Ingram: The Chemical Weapons Convention prohibits the use of riot control agents as a method of warfare. United Kingdom armed forces will comply with their obligations under the Convention. The Government expect that other states parties to the Convention will likewise comply with their obligations under the Convention.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 401 c389W;401 c389-90W; 102413;102412
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Armed conflict Chemical weapons Chemical Weapons Convention Iraq Iraq conflict Riot control weapons
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk