§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on her Department's(a) responsibilities and (b) assets with regard to civil contingency planning; what funds are committed; what action she is taking within her Department to improve such planning; and what action she is taking in collaboration with other Departments. [102628]
§ Ms HewittThe information is as follows:
(a) I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office, on 21 March 2003, Official Report, columns 957–58W.
(b) DTI is fully committed to the Government's programme to increase UK resilience to disruptive events.
It is active in a number of areas with colleagues from other Government Departments and Agencies and works closely with key sectors of the economy to increase resilience and robustness in contingency planning.
Measures include a new crisis management suite, greater integration of contingency and continuity plans, and the strengthening of dedicated teams across the Department. The Department is contributing to central Government initiatives and has forged close links with the wider contingency planning community and stakeholders.
Departmental resources are committed to this task in line with Departmental business planning and to reflect emerging priorities.