HC Deb 31 July 1981 vol 9 cc656-7W
Mr. Speller

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if there is any designation used by Departments of particular services as emergency services, and, if so, which bodies are included.

Mr. Mayhew

The police, fire, ambulance, hospital and coastguard services are usually described as emergency services. Supporting services include the Armed Forms, local authority emergency planning departments and a number of national and local voluntary bodies such as the Women's Royal Voluntary Service, the Red Cross, St. John's Ambulance and various mountain and other specialist rescue teams. Many industrial and public utility organisations maintain emergency services for specific contingencies such as mines rescue.