§ Mr. Eadieasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now make a statement on the report by the British Medical Association board of science on the medical effects of nuclear war.
§ Mr. John Patten[pursuant to his reply, 4 June 1984, c. 44]: I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. and learned Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Wolverhampton, North-East (Mrs. Short) on 9 March 1983 at column 418–419 in which he commented on the conclusions of the report. The policies of this Government, like those of their predecessors, are directed towards preventing war. They also recognise the responsibility to plan for civil defence in the NHS to provide for the care of the casualties of war and to lessen the consequences of any attack should the need, however unlikely, ever arise.
§ Mr. Eadieasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what discussions have taken place between representatives of Her Majesty's Government and representatives of the British Medical Association with a view to producing revised plans for the Health Service in the event of a nuclear war; and if he will make a statement on the expected date of publication of such revised plans.
§ Mr. John Patten[pursuant to his reply, 4 June 1984, c. 44]: Civil defence planning in the National Health Service was discussed at a meeting with representatives of the British Medical Association last October when I invited the association to take part in consultations on revision of the Department's circular on civil defence planning; the association indicated that it would welcome the opportunity to do so.
393WSince then, good progress has been made, in consultation with other Government Departments concerned with civil defence, in bringing guidance up-to-date. The revised circular will take account, among other 394W things, of changes in the organisation of the National Health Service. We shall be approaching the British Medical Association for its contribution to the revised draft as soon as possible.