Seismic Activity, Newtown (Hansard, 28 March 1994)

§ Mr. Alex Carlile
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he will initiate an urgent study into seismic activity in the Newtown area; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Redwood
Earthquakes in the Newtown area are adequately recorded by the British Geological Survey United Kingdom seismograph network which is operated by its global seismology research group from Edinburgh. BGS has already initiated a macroseismic survey of the recent earthquake in this area. It routinely undertakes such surveys after all significant earthquakes in the United Kingdom and did so following the nearby Bishops Castle earthquake in April 1990.
A more extensive study of the mid-Wales area was undertaken in 1984, by the British earthquake research group, following the event in April of that year. More generally, a study into "Earthquake Hazard and Risk in the UK" has been commissioned by the Department of the Environment from Ove Arup and Partners and the report was published in 1993 by HMSO. A copy of the report is in the Library of the House. A conclusion of the report is that, since there is only a small possibility of an earthquake—in the United Kingdom—causing significant damage, the risk to society is sufficiently low not to cause undue concern.
605W

§ Mr. Alex Carlile
To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what steps have been taken to ensure the adequacy of emergency arrangements in the event of earthquakes in the Newtown area; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Redwood
This is primarily a matter for Powys county council.

Full-time Part-time

Grade Male Female Male Female Total

G1 and Equivalents 1 — — — 1

G2 and Equivalents 2 — — — 2

G3 and Equivalents 11 1 — — 12

G4 and Equivalents 5 2 — — 7

GS and Equivalents 43 7 — 1 51

G6 and Equivalents 27 2 — 1 30

G7 and Equivalents 131 36 1 15 183

SEO and Equivalents 114 23 2 4 143

HEO and Equivalents 187 86 — 13 286

Administration Fast Stream 11 9 — 1 21

EO and Equivalents 213 219 — 60 492

AO and Equivalents 164 346 1 78 589

AA and Equivalents 174 228 — 50 452

Industrials 111 14 5 15 145

	Full-time	Part-time
Grade	Male	Female	Male	Female	Total
G1 and Equivalents	1	—	—	—	1
G2 and Equivalents	2	—	—	—	2
G3 and Equivalents	11	1	—	—	12
G4 and Equivalents	5	2	—	—	7
GS and Equivalents	43	7	—	1	51
G6 and Equivalents	27	2	—	1	30
G7 and Equivalents	131	36	1	15	183
SEO and Equivalents	114	23	2	4	143
HEO and Equivalents	187	86	—	13	286
Administration Fast Stream	11	9	—	1	21
EO and Equivalents	213	219	—	60	492
AO and Equivalents	164	346	1	78	589
AA and Equivalents	174	228	—	50	452
Industrials	111	14	5	15	145