§ Ql. Mr. Neil Thorneasked the Prime Minister if Her Majesty's Government will seek to endow a chair of civil defence at a British university.
§ The Prime Minister (Mrs. Margaret Thatcher)We have no plans to do so.
§ Mr. ThorneIn view of increasing public concern in recent months about civil defence, will my right hon. Friend re-examine this matter? Does she agree that emergency planning officers have a difficult job to do, often in the face of bitter local opposition, and must have a policy to which to work? Does she agree that an independent review, through a university chair, seems one of the best ways to achieve that?
§ The Prime MinisterI know that my hon. Friend has taken a great interest in civil defence matters, and I have read his excellent speech in the debate in March last year. 1158 As he knows, the Government have substantially increased the amount spent on civil defence. The figure is now about £69 million, which seems about right. A great deal of research takes place in the Home Office, but if my hon. Friend has further evidence to lay before us we shall, of course, reconsider the matter.
§ Mr. DubsWill the Prime Minister publish the list prepared in 1980 by the scientific advisory branch of the Home Office showing which areas of the country would be threatened in the event of a nuclear attack? Does she agree that the people of London, Hertfordshire, the West Midlands, Merseyside, Tyneside and Strathclyde have the right to know the level of destruction that they would have to face if such an attack took place?
§ The Prime MinisterThe answer is no, Sir. It seems to me, however, that the hon. Gentleman's question gives great support for having proper civil defence all over.