§ 13. Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now set up a special disaster unit which would give immediate assistance and advice to the relatives of those killed and seriously injured in future disasters.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsNo, Sir. Whilst I sympathise strongly with my hon. Friend's objectives, I believe that the problem is better approached on a local rather than a national basis. That is why I am considering, in consultation with the associations of local authorities, the issue of a circular on local co-ordination of emergency services, including counselling services, when disasters or major accidents occur.
§ Mr. AshleyIs my right hon. Friend aware that that is a deplorable decision, because the relatives of people killed in disasters are in urgent need of skilled advice and assistance on social, economic and legal matters? They have not had it in the past and, if my right hon. Friend does not do better than he has so far, they will not get it in the future. There is no point in sending out circulars.
1606 We need a properly staffed disaster unit so that people may know to whom they can turn quickly. It can be done, given the will.
§ Mr. JenkinsI regret that our evidence is contrary to my hon. Friend's view. The relatives of those involved in a disaster—and disasters almost inevitably occur locally—are rarely in a position to want or to accept immediate advice of a social, legal or financial nature. Even when they want it, they prefer it from local organisations rather than from some detached national organisation which moves in at that stage. I in no way underestimate the need to provide as effectively as possible all the facilities which are necessary.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsWill the right hon. Gentleman please reconsider this matter? I believe that the hon. Member for Stoke-on-Trent, South (Mr. Ashley) is right. The immediate need is for people to know what has happened. People in my constituency have been affected. Above all else, people want to know what has happened to relatives or friends as quickly as possible. It does not matter whether the disaster is local or national. As the hon. Gentleman said, the amount of help which can be given as quickly as possible is of paramount importance.
§ Mr. JenkinsI very much want to provide all the help that I can, but I am sure that the House will want to distinguish between setting up elaborate machinery and giving effective help on the ground. I am not convinced that to have a large and possibly top heavy national organisation moving into an area which it did not know would be the right way to deal with local needs or individual desires.