§ 27. Mr. Neil Thorneasked the Secretary of State, for the Home Department if he will allocate radio frequencies for local authority/community level use for civil defence purposes.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. David Mellor)A Home Office communications working party is considering how to develop civil defence communications between counties, districts and communities, making the best use of available frequencies, but there are unlikely to be sufficient frequencies for exclusive allocation to civil defence.
§ Mr. ThorneI thank my hon. Friend for his reply. He is aware that, with the new civil defence regulations now coming into active force, there is likely to be a much greater demand for this type of exercise. Will my hon. Friend therefore look carefully to ascertain whether it is necessary before the end of the year to introduce some exclusive frequencies for this valuable and important work?
§ Mr. MellorI know the importance which my hon. Friend, who is a great expert in these matters, attaches to that aspect. I shall ensure that my right hon. Friend the Minister of State, Home Office—the right hon. Member for Witney (Mr. Hurd)—who has a particular responsibility for these issues, looks carefully at what my hon. Friend says.