HL Deb 18 November 1981 vol 425 cc503-4

2.43 p.m.

Lord Jenkins of Putney

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the BBC, British Telecom and the gas and electricity services have bunker provision against the possibility of nuclear war and whether any provision is being made for leaders of the CBI and TUC.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Belstead)

My Lords, the provision of protected accommodation is a matter for the various services themselves, which have a statutory duty to maintain due functioning in the event of war. The BBC has provided protected accommodation for a small number of staff who would operate the wartime broadcasting service. British Telecom has made provision for the protection of key staff against radioactive fallout. The gas and electricity industries have made no provision of protected accommodation. Any arrangements made by the CBI and TUC would be a matter for them.

Lord Jenkins of Putney

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for the informative nature of that reply. Does the Government's announcement that they are asking local authorities to look for suitable premises for shelter indicate a change of policy? Are the Government no longer asking people to stay at home and face the consequences of their policies on their own hearths?

Lord Belstead

My Lords, the communications between the Government and local authorities as regards looking for suitable sites for shelter accommodation are not a new policy. It is a policy which was begun many years ago by Government, but which, for various reasons, has not been particularly actively pursued by the local authorities. We are now, in company with the local authorities, pursuing it a great deal more actively.

Lord Mackie of Benshie

My Lords, can the Minister tell us whether any arrangements have been made for a bunker for the noble Lord, Lord Jenkins of Putney?

Lord Belstead

My Lords, that would be a matter for the noble Lord.

Viscount St. Davids

My Lords, can we really have reached the point where there is no higher priority than the provision of holes in which to hide?

Lord Jenkins of Putney

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that in the event of nuclear war all of us, in or out of bunkers, will face the same consequences, and that the purpose of these Questions is to draw public attention to the inutility of the Government's policy of depending upon the nuclear weapon for the salvation of our people?

Lord Belstead

My Lords, I ought to say to the noble Lord that the purpose of civil defence is to prepare to deal with the suffering which war would cause if war came. I should have thought that even the strongest supporter of unilateral disarmament could give equal support to civil defence, as its purpose and effect are essentially humane.

Lord Brockway

My Lords, will the noble Lord make some investigation as to these preparations? Is he aware that I have been to the command shelter for South-East London? It is only two floors down. It is open to open space and it could be destroyed by a bomb immediately. Although it has contact with the whole of the south of London, it will prove utterly inadequate in any nuclear attack.

Lord Belstead

My Lords, about a year ago the Government announced increased financial provision for civil defence. I think it would help if the noble Lord, Lord Brockway, were to follow up the question which he has asked me by showing that he supports that increased financial provision.