§ 16. Mr. Leighasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek discussions with his French counterpart about civil defence capability.
§ Mr. HurdWe and the French Government are represented on the NATO Civil Defence Committee, which develops guidelines for civil defence programmes and provides a useful forum for discussion.
§ Mr. LeighHas my right hon. Friend noted that French policy is to evacuate civilians from high-risk areas and to require all new buildings in towns with more than 50,000 people to have shelters? Will he comment on that?
§ Mr. HurdYes, I have noted that. Every NATO country sets about the problem in a somewhat different way. We have made judgments on both matters, but they are kept under continuous review, especially the question of evacuation.