HC Deb 26 November 1980 vol 994 cc84-5W
Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why North Wales has no civil defence headquarters.

Mr. Brittan

There are plans for a sub-regional headquarters in North Wales and, following the home defence review, funds have been allocated for the provision of accommodation.

Mr. D. E. Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is satisfied that Brecon is a suitable headquarters for the civil defence network in Wales.

Mr. Brittan

We have no plans for such a headquarters in Brecon.

Mr. Freud

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost of civil defence operations in East Anglia in the years 1977, 1978 and 1979.

Mr. Brittan

Civil defence grant was paid on the following aggregate expenditure by the county councils of Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk in the financial years shown:

1977–78 £140,000
1978–79 £166,000
1979–80 £206,000

Civil defence expenditure by central government attributable to this area cannot be identified without disproportionate cost.

Mr. Freud

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has in respect of expenditure on civil defence in East Anglia for 1981.

Mr. Brittan

In my right hon. Friend's statement to the House on 7 August on the home defence review, he announced the Government's intention to double the money available for home defence at local level. Guidance will soon be issued to local authorities about the allocation of the additional funds being made available in 1981–82 and subsequent years.