asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider issuing firearms to the police to enable them better to protect themselves from the armed criminals who are becoming an increasing menace to the general community and the police.

Firearms are available for use by police officers who are competent to use them and who wish to have the opportunity of carrying them for purposes of self-defence when engaged on specially dangerous duty. In my view the disadvantages of the general arming of the police would heavily outweigh any possible advantage.