§ Gregory BarkerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on(a) the stock of equipment and (b) its whereabouts to deal with an NBC terrorist attack in (i) London and (ii) East Sussex; and what plans he has to increase this stock. [96253]
§ Mr. BlunkettThe Government are taking precautions to ensure that emergency services, local authorities and Government Departments and agencies are prepared to respond to a Chemical, Biological, Radiological or Nuclear (CBRN) incident and that the emergency services have the right equipment and stocks.
The National Health Service (NHS) has increased its preparedness and nationally has 360 mobile decontamination units sent to key points around the country for use by Ambulance Service and hospital Accident and Emergency Departments. 7,250 personal protection suits have been distributed to key health workers. 2,350 police officers have been trained and equipped to deal with CBRN incidents and this programme is continuing.
334W
Table 2. Whether offender/s under the influence of drink or drugs by typology of violence (1998 BCS, 2000 BCS, 2001–02 BCS interviews) Domestic Mugging Stranger Acquaintance 1998 2000 2001–02 1998 2000 2001–02 1998 2000 2001–02 1998 2000 2001-02 Under influence of drink (percentage) (percentage) (percentage) (percentage) Yes 33 43 45 15 17 19 59 53 58 45 37 51 No 60 55 49 53 70 62 30 34 31 50 53 43 Don't 7 2 5 32 13 18 11 13 10 4 10 6 know Unweighted 195 229 243 150 725 279 250 308 453 347 390 426 It has been agreed that fire fighters will work alongside ambulance services by decontaminating people at a CBRN incident and £56 million has been allocated by the Government to buy equipment to do this in 2003.
Medical countermeasures are also stockpiled in strategic locations.
I cannot give details of the location of this equipment and stocks, as this information would self-evidently be of use to terrorists.