§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of costs incurred by local authorities on civil defence are grant-aided by his Department; and whether there is a ceiling on the amount of grant aid that can be made available to an individual local authority.
§ Mr. Giles ShawLocal authorities are paid a grant of either 75 per cent or 100 per cent. of approved expenditure; the Civil Defence (Grant) (Amendment) Regulations 1983 specify the items eligible for 100 per cent. grant. Expenditure allocations eligible for civil defence grant are set annually for each county council and the GLC based on estimates of expenditure submitted to the Home Office. These may be adjusted during the course of the year to meet new requirements if grant funds are available.
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many letters have been sent out to local authorities by Mr. Eric Alley, civil defence adviser to the Home Office, since 1 October; with which authorities Mr. Alley has engaged in correspondence; and if he will publish the text of all correspondence in the Official Report.
§ Mr. Giles ShawI shall reply as soon as possible.
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether letters sent out to local authorities by Mr. Eric Alley, civil defence adviser to the Home Office, are sent with his authorisation; and whether they represent the views of Ministers.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe civil defence adviser, who has my full support, corresponds with local authorities for a variety of reasons and only in exceptional circumstances would a letter require specific authorisation.