HC Deb 31 January 1985 vol 72 cc234-6W
9. Mr. Aspinwall

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Depaartment if he will collate centrally information on the training of civil defence volunteers.

Mr. Giles Shaw

Yes. Information derived from local authorities, including that from visits made by the co-ordinator of volunteer effort in civil defence, will be collated by our officials with the assistance of the new civil defence adviser.

25. Mr. Martin Stevens

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what regulatory powers the Government will apply to ensure that civil defence grants are not misused by those local authorities opposed to civil defence.

Mr. Giles Shaw

The Civil defence (Grant) Regulations 1953 (as amended) make adequate provision for this purpose.

35. Mr. Terlezki

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the working party on standardisation of training of civil defence volunteers heard evidence from any volunteer bodies engaged in civil defence.

54. Mr. Neil Thorne

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what evidence was taken by the working party on standardisation of training of civil defence volunteers.

65. Mr. Speller

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether evidence was taken by the working party on standardisation of training of civil defence volunteers from any of the Devon emergency planning officers or from members of the Devon emergency volunteers.

77. Mr. Bill Walker

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the working party on standardisation of training of civil defence volunteers accepted any evidence from Sir Leslie Mavor.

Mr. Giles Shaw

The working party did not call for or take evidence in any formal way. It drew primarily on the experience of its members and the views it received from people such as Sir Leslie Mavor with experience in civil defence volunteer matters.

51. Dr. Twinn

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the civil defence publications which his Department and Easingwold will make available in 1985; and what other informative materials he has plans for thereafter.

Mr. Giles Shaw

We expect to make the following documents available during the next 12 months or soThe Consolidated Circular of Guidance to Local Authorities on Emergency Planning; A technical handbook designed to help local authorities identify potential communal shelters; A publication which will include advice on protective measures; Revised material dealing with the effects of nuclear and other weapons; A revised version of "Civil Defence—The Basic Facts"; A revised booklet on the work of the United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation; The reports of the Home Office-Civil Defence College working party on the standardisation of training of civil defence volunteers.

In addition, we hope to have a public information film on civil defence for issue before the end of the year.

69. Dr. Michael Clark

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many civil defence volunteers per 100,000 of the population will be needed to supply reasonable civil defence support.

Mr. Giles Shaw

The number necessary to fulfil their responsibilities under the Civil Defence Regulations is for individual local authorities to decide in the light of local circumstances.

Mr. Neil Thorne

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will provide guidance for local authorities on travel and subsistence rates for civil defence volunteers.

Mr. Giles Shaw

Reasonable expenditure thus incurred is eligible for grant-aid, but the rates are a matter for individual local authorities. Nevertheless, if my hon. Friend has a particular issue in mind I would be glad to hear from him.