Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, if she will bring forward proposals to encourage the police to recruit ex-servicemen and women to provide armed protection at fixed sites.

Mr Nick Hurd, Minister of State for Policing and the Fire Service: Chief officers are responsible for recruitment and for determining the number of armed officers required in their areas. This is based on a thorough assessment of threat and risk, and capability is kept under constant review by the National Armed Policing Lead and the National Police Coordination Centre.

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