§ Q15. Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Prime Minister whether he will now establish a United Kingdom disaster fund to give immediate help to those in distress following an emergency of one sort or another.
§ The Prime MinisterExisting arrangements whereby local authorities deal with emergencies in their areas have proved generally adequate. Where an undue burden falls on a local authority in dealing with an emergency, the Government will consider giving special financial assistance.
§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Prime Minister which Minister is responsible for co-ordinating the accident and emergency services.
§ The Prime MinisterAction to deal with accidents and emergencies is usually co-ordinated locally. The Government would become involved if an emergency were too serious to be dealt with by local resources, and in such a case responsibility for co-ordination would be determined by the nature of the emergency.