HC Deb 26 November 1981 vol 13 c469W
Mr. McMahon

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if any estimates have been made of the casualties in the event of a nuclear war in the heavily populated areas of the West of Scotland.

Mr. Rifkind

It is not possible to make a reliable estimate of casualties in individual areas.

Mr. McMahon

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what form of protection will be available to the civilian population in the West of Scotland in the event of a nuclear war.

Mr. Rifkind

Substantial protection against radioactive fallout for those some distance from the actual explosion may be obtained in the home by the fairly simple methods described in the booklet "Protect and Survive". Guidance on shelter construction is offered in the booklets "Domestic Nuclear Shelters" and "Domestic Nuclear Shelters—Technical Guidance". All three publications are on sale to the public through Her Majesty's Stationery Office. In addition, it is intended to conduct, in conjunction with the local authorities, surveys of existing buildings and structures which could serve as communal shelters. In terms of the Civil Defence (Planning) (Scotland) Regulations 1975, statutory responsibility for detailed civil defence planning in the west of Scotland rests with Strathclyde regional council.