Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what information her Department holds on how many times pelargonic acid vanillylamide spray has been used in custody situations in each of the last five years; and what plans are in place to ensure that staff are trained to be aware of its proper use within the context of a custody suite.

The use of PAVA spray is an operational matter for the police, to be used in accordance with the NPCC Personal Safety Manual.