Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether, in the light of recent events in Paris, they are reconsidering the range of weapons issued to armed police units in this country.

Following the attacks in Mumbai in 2008, the Government set up a programme to improve the UK’s ability to respond to this type of incident. As a result, there has been a step change in police firearms capability, speed of military response and the ability of emergency services specialists to save lives under higher risk conditions, as well as a range of other measures to enhance protective security.

We have improved joint working between the emergency services. Specialist joint police, ambulance and fire teams are now in place in key areas across England, with equivalents in Scotland and Wales, trained and equipped to respond and manage casualties in the event of a marauding gun attack. Regional and national response to firearms attacks are regularly tested and exercised. However, since the recent events in Paris, and to be absolutely sure we have the right numbers of officers, with the rights skills and equipment, in the right places, we are working with police to review these arrangements.