HL Deb 09 March 1983 vol 440 cc230-1

2.40 p.m.

The Earl of Kimberley

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 South Yorkshire County Council is in breach of existing regulations by stopping the emergency planning officer drawing up nuclear war plans in January 1982.

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

My Lords, the South Yorkshire County Council has passed a resolution which includes continued compliance with the Civil Defence (Planning) Regulations 1974.

The Earl of Kimberley

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that Answer. Can he tell me when the new civil defence legislation will come into being? Will he also give an assurance that councils will comply with the new regulations, or that the Government will do all they can to make them comply with them?

Lord Elton

My Lords, the Government propose to introduce new civil defence regulations imposing additional duties on local authorities shortly. These include the training and exercising of staff and volunteers, and the provision of emergency control centres. They also strengthen planning requirements. We shall certainly do everything necessary to see that this law is observed.

Lord Bishopston

My Lords, when framing the new regulations, will the Minister take into account the recent observations of the British Medical Association and have some regard to whether they might be a factor in the reluctance of many authorities to go ahead with civil defence or other planning? Can the Minister reply to the BMA's observations in order to give some assurance on these matters?

Lord Elton

My Lords, I think that my duty is to reply to the noble Lord rather than to the BMA. I can say that the Government will take account of all relevant factors and all opinions given by qualified people—people qualified to give opinion on the circumstances on which they are consulted, and not on others.