§ 3. Mr. Blackburnasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he gives chief constables for advising community volunteer leaders about law and order problems within the civil defence context.
§ The Minister of State, Home Office (Mr. Douglas Hurd)Guidance on the role of volunteers and community organisation in war is in Home Office circular No. ES 2/1981. It does not cover law and order, which are the responsibility of the Government and the police. It is for chief constables to decide on any advice they might give to community volunteer leaders.
§ Mr. BlackburnIs my right hon. Friend aware that law and order are matters of concern to community civil defence workers and that the advice they receive from chief constables varies? Will he consider issuing guidance to chief constables on this matter?
§ Mr. HurdWe must stick to the principle that problems of law and order are, in any circumstances, the responsibility of the Government and the police. It is natural that chief constables should want to give what information they have to community volunteers. I should like to think about my hon. Friend's suggestion.
§ Mr. Neil ThorneWill my right hon. Friend be kind enough to consider the cost of the operation, in that when local authorities carry out duties on behalf on civil defence they often generate a substantial penalty against the rate support grant? Is he aware that they sometimes incur a penalty of £3 for every £1 that they spend? Is he further aware that that will remove the 75 per cent. funding from central sources?
§ Mr. HurdI am not sure how often my hon. Friend's theory is likely to occur in practice. The House will have an opportunity to discuss that when we debate the new regulations.