Written question asked by Mike Wood (Batley and Spen) (Labour) on Tuesday, 14 September 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 12 October 2004. It was answered by Hazel Blears (Labour) on Tuesday, 12 October 2004 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many reported injuries have resulted from police use of CS gas spray in each of the last five years; and how many of those injured were police officers; how many complaints have been received in connection with the use of CS gas spray by police officers in England and Wales in each of the last five years; and what the outcome of each complaint was. - Inc fact that information only available at disproportionate cost.

Answer: Mr. Wood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) how many reported injuries have resulted from police use of CS gas spray in each of the last five years; and how many of those injured were police officers; [189505] (2) how many complaints have been received in connection with the use of CS gas spray by police officers in England and Wales in each of the last five years; and what the outcome of each complaint was. [189506] Ms Blears: Information about the number and outcome of police complaints received relating to specific situations is not held centrally by the Home Office. It could therefore be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Similarly, information about the number of injuries caused by police use of CS spray is not centrally held, and could again be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Secondary information