§ 1. Mr. Gerald Bowdenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has had any meetings with the Royal College of Nursing to discuss civil defence matters; and what progress was made.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Security (Mr. John Patten)A preliminary draft of revised guidance to health authorities on civil defence planning was sent to the Royal College of Nursing last July. The college made a number of helpful comments which were discussed at a recent meeting between officials and representatives of the college.
§ Mr. BowdenI thank my hon. Friend for that reply. When does he intend to publish the revised civil defence plans HD 771?
§ Mr. PattenWe are still discussing with the Royal College of Nursing and the British Medical Association the detailed provisions of the guidance. We hope to publish it as soon as it is available.
§ Mr. MeadowcroftHow far will it differentiate between attempting to pretend that there is a possibility of civil defence in a nuclear disaster as opposed to the proper need for civil defence in a non-nuclear disaster?
§ Mr. PattenIt will be a realistic document and we are having realistic discussions with both bodies.
§ Mr. SternIn view of the extremely varied capability of the Soviet bloc in terms of biological and chemical weapons, has my right hon. Friend considered the need for isolation fever units in various parts of the country in relation to civil defence matters and whether these should be expanded, or at least maintained?
§ Mr. PattenThe Government are firmly committed to civil preparedness in time of emergency in warfare, whether conventional or nuclear. The National Health 150 Service must play its part in that civil preparedness and we keep the need for facilities such as those to which my hon. Friend refers constantly under review.