§ 12. Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Wales whether any machinery exists within his Department for co-ordinating essential services in the case of an emergency endangering public services in any part of Wales; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Nicholas EdwardsYes. My Department's organisation provides for the handling of civil emergencies and for co-ordinating action, where this is appropriate, to maintain essential services.
§ Mr. ThomasIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that the level of expenditure on emergency plans for civil defence by local authorities in Wales of £400,000 in the current year provides for the same level of protection for the population of Wales as will be available to the right hon. Gentleman and his colleagues in their bunkers at Brecon and Bridgend?
§ Mr. EdwardsCivil defence is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary, but I hope that the hon. Gentleman will encourage his local authority to ensure that the maximum provision is made for those whom he represents in his part of Wales. I understand that the local authority is not meeting its full responsibilities in this matter.