HL Deb 05 November 2001 vol 628 cc6-8WA
Baroness Thornton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What sub-committees he has constituted to support the Civil Contingencies Committee in its review of the country's contingency planning arrangements. [HL1154]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The Prime Minister has directed that three new sub-committees be constituted to make recommendations within the remit of the Civil Contingencies Committee.

The Civil Contingencies Committee is a longstanding committee. Its composition and terms of reference are set out below together with those of three new sub-committees.

CIVIL CONTINGENCIES COMMITTEE

Composition:

Secretary of State for the Home Department (chairman).

Others, including HM Treasury and the devolved administrations, will be invited to attend, depending on the contingency.

Terms of Reference:

"To co-ordinate the preparation of plans for ensuring in an emergency the supplies and services essential to the life of the community; to keep these plans under regular review; and to supervise their prompt and effective implementation in specific emergencies".

SUB-COMMTTTEE ON CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL, RADIOLOGICAL AND NUCLEAR CONSEQUENCE MANAGEMENT —CCC (CBRN)

Composition:

Minister of State for Crime Reduction, Policing and Community Safety (Chairman)

Officials from:

  • HM Treasury
  • Home Office
  • Foreign and Commonwealth Office
  • Ministry of Defence
    • WA 7
  • Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions
  • Department of Trade and Industry
  • Department of Health
  • Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
  • Northern Ireland Office
  • Scotland Office
  • Wales Office.

The devolved administrations are invited to attend, as are others in accordance with their expertise, experience and responsibilities.

Terms of reference:

"To review contingency and other arrangements to protect the UK against the effects of a terrorist attack using chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear means, particularly in the light of the terrorist attacks of 11 September".

SUB-COMMITTEE ON LONDON RESILIENCE—CCC (LR)

Composition:

Minister of State for Local Government and the Regions (Chairman)

Officials from:

  • HM Treasury
  • Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions.
  • Home Office
  • Government Office for London.

Others, including the Mayor of London, are invited to attend in accordance with their experience and expertise and in order to engage all responsible organisations in London.

Terms of reference:

"To review contingency arrangements for London, particularly in the light of the terrorist attacks of 11 September".

SUB-COMMITTEE ON UK RESILIENCE—CCC (UKR)

Composition:

Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office (Chairman)

Officials from:

  • HM Treasury
  • Home Office
  • Ministry of Defence
  • Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions
  • Department of Trade and Industry
  • Department of Health
  • Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
  • Northern Ireland Office
  • Scotland Office
  • Wales Office.

Others, including the devolved administrations, are invited to attend in accordance with their expertise, experience and responsibilities.

Terms of reference:

"To review contingency arrangements for key suppliers, services and other systems which support the life of the community, particularly in the light of the terrorist attacks of 11 September".