HC Deb 17 October 2002 vol 390 cc939-40W
Mr. Francois

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps he is taking to ensure that the emergency services have sufficient resources needed to deal effectively with the consequences of a substantial disaster. [73773]

Mr. Alexander

Since September 2001, all three emergency services have increased their holdings of personal protective equipment that will enable their personnel to work in hazardous environments after any incident involving chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear agents. In addition, the fire and ambulance services have purchased extra equipment with which to decontaminate and treat persons who have exposed to any of these agents.

Purchases of extra search and rescue equipment for use by fire brigades are also planned.

In addition, a nation-wide programme has been instituted for the joint training and exercising of senior officers from all three emergency services for such disasters.

Mr. Francois

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what new methods are planned to ensure effective communication between the emergency services in the event of a substantial disaster. [73762]

Mr. Alexander

The police service have already begun to roll out a national radio network that will allow intraoperability between all forces if, and when, officers from different forces need to talk to one another.

The current radio systems of the fire and ambulance services are now due for renewal.

The Cabinet Office has ensured that the specifications include the requirement that the replacement systems are capable of interoperability with the systems of the other emergency services as well as intraoperability within their own service.

Mr. Francois

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what steps the Government are taking to establish a review on local authority spending in the area of emegency planning. [73761]

Mr. Alexander

Local authority spending is being reviewed in the context of the work on a Civil Contingencies Bill. I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 22 July 2002,Official Report, column 727W, which sets out further details of this work.