§ 9. Mr. Gerald Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for Transport what information and assistance has been supplied to the shipping, aircraft and motor industries on protective measures against the effects of nuclear electromagnetic pulse.
§ 12. Mr. Couchmanasked the Secretary of State for Transport what advice he gives to local authorities to ensure that their essential transport for emergency purposes will not be affected by nuclear electromagnetic pulse.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerA report by an interdepartmental working party on the effect on communications will be available to Ministers later this year. Advice about measures to counteract electromagnetic pulse is given to shipowners by the Ministry of Defence, to airlines by the Civil Aviation Authority and to local authorities by the Home Office.
§ Mr. BowdenWill my hon. Friend ensure that there are places available on training courses so that those who are concerned with those matters may have an opportunity to learn about the effects of nuclear electromagnetic pulse?
§ Mr. SpicerI shall certainly consider that matter and perhaps write to my hon. Friend about it later.
Mr. CounchamIs my hon. Friend satisfied that local authorities which have declared themselves nuclear-free zones in the misconceived notion that they will escape the holocaust will take the advice that is given to them about safeguarding their vehicles?
§ Mr. SpicerThe advice that local authorities take and the giving of advice to them is a matter for my right hon. and learned Friend the Home Secretary.