§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many civil defence facilities in Scotland it is envisaged would be used as emergency centres of government in time of war; and if he will make a statement. [23171]
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 11 May 1995]: There is one purpose-built civil defence facility, at Cultybraggan, which would be available to be used as an emergency centre of government during a war.
§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what future plans he has for the civil defence facility underneath Cultybraggan training camp, near Comrie; and if he will make a statement. [23189]
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 11 May 1995]: While much of the former civil defence infrastructure has been sold or dismantled, the Cultybraggan facility will be retained, since it houses the central node of the emergency communications network. The ECN links together all local authorities, the emergency services, a number of central Government locations, and other sites such as nuclear industry off-site emergency centres. This network is available to local authorities when responding to civil emergencies in peace time and proved to be most useful during the severe weather emergencies of 1993 and 1994.
§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the final cost of(a) constructing the civil defence facility located underneath Cultybraggan training camp, near Comrie and (b) the unfinished civil defence facility at the grounds of Peel hospital near Galashiels; and if he will make a statement. [23187]
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 11 May 1995]The final cost of the facility at Cultybraggan training camp was £3.6 million. The Scottish Office purchased the site at the former Peel hospital at a cost of £ 100,000. Because of the change in the perceived threat of a major conflict; no start was made on construction work, and the site is currently being offered for sale.