Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will make representations to the United States authorities about the use of arms by police forces in that country against black citizens and the reform of policing in the United States.

We will not make representations on this issue as it is a matter for the US authorities. President Obama has announced the creation of a taskforce to build trust between communities and police. The President has also said he will issue an Executive Order aimed at tightening controls on where ex-military equipment is sold or given to domestic law enforcement agencies, and has asked Congress for an additional $263 million to increase the use of body-worn video cameras and improve community policing.