HC Deb 24 October 1985 vol 84 cc407-8
1. Mr. Speller

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will invite a member of the Devon county council emergency staff to join the working party considering the standardisation of training of civil defence volunteers.

The Minister of State, Home Office (Mr. Giles Shaw)

Devon county council is already represented on the working party through the chief fire officer.

Mr. Speller

Is my hon. Friend aware that the county of Devon probably has the largest and most efficient of all the emergency, volunteer and civil defence services, and that, with the experience that it has acquired during the years from the Lynmouth floods, the Torrey Canyon and the fact that almost all transatlantic aircraft home in on the beacon at Combe Martin, it should have full representation, as being both efficient and on the spot?

Mr. Shaw

I am indeed aware that Devon county council has a volunteer strength of about 1,800 souls, including my hon. Friend, and that it is a fine and distinguished body. As my hon. Friend knows, there are 13,000 volunteers nationally. I am convinced that the representation of the chief fire officer, who also has rescue services in hand, is highly appropriate to the working of the committee.

Mr. Merchant

In considering the matter, will my hon. Friend also investigate the training and provision of civil defence in the Tyne and Wear county area, where the latest reports show——

Mr. Speaker

Order. There are later questions about that.