HC Deb 15 February 1982 vol 18 c33W
Mr. Bevan

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to make arrangements, during periods of extreme weather, to supplement the available manpower in countering the effects of such weather by using unemployed persons.

Mr. Giles Shaw

Local authorities have primary responsibility for dealing with the effects of severe weather and they have power to take on additional staff needed to deal with the situation.