HL Deb 21 March 1985 vol 461 cc646-7

3.16 p.m.

Lord Renton

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

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government when they will issue the consolidated civil defence circular.

Lord Elton

My Lords, we expect to issue the consolidated circular, which will contain guidance on planning for civil defence and peacetime emergencies, after Easter.

Lord Renton

My Lords, I am most grateful for that Answer. Will my noble friend say whether dealing with peacetime emergencies will be given prominence in this circular, and will it give guidance on the level of emergency planning staffs required and on recommended salary scales?

Lord Elton

My Lords, I regret that my noble friend's questions go into greater detail than I can answer immediately. I shall try to write to my noble friend ahead of the publication which, as I have said, is not now far off.

Lord Molloy

My Lords, will the Minister agree that there are in this country quite a number of informed people who believe that in the event of a thermo-nuclear war there really is no defence? Will he also agree that perhaps one of the best contributions put forward as to how to tackle this problem was submitted by the late Sir Winston Churchill, when he advised very strongly that it would be quite unwise to have another nation's dangerous weapons stationed on this island? That could make some contribution not merely to civil defence, but also the defence of the entire nation.

Lord Elton

My Lords, that was a very interesting dissertation, but I cannot see how I can cast an answer within the terms of the Question on the Order Paper.

Lord Renton

My Lords, for how long must we go on pointing out that these questions about civil defence are not confined to preparation for nuclear attack but are designed to cover all hazards?

Lord Elton

My Lords, recent experience suggests almost for ever.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, will the noble Lord assist the House by telling us about the present functions of the Government's civil defence adviser? What precisely does he do? Is he in charge of co-ordinating the activities of local authorities? Will the noble Lord say what staff the civil defence adviser has to help him?

Lord Elton

My Lords, the noble Lord puts me in a difficulty because the Question is about the publication of a consolidated circular and not about the organisation of the whole civil defence system.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, I am much obliged to the noble Lord. Will he say whether the civil defence adviser is responsible for this circular?

Lord Elton

My Lords, the civil defence adviser will be responsible for seeing how local authorities are implementing it and will be assisting them in doing so.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, in that case why cannot the noble Lord answer my first question?

Lord Elton

My Lords, perhaps it is just natural diffidence. I was seeking to restrict myself to the question of the publication date, but the noble Lord has tempted me to go beyond that. The civil defence adviser is also concerned with the training of civil defence staff and he has the training staff at his disposal.

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