§ Mr. Austin Mitchellasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether any charges are to be made to local authorities for the use of troops in the January 1982 snow emergency; and, if so what is the total;
(2) what charges are to be made, and to whom, for the use of helicopters in the January 1982 snow emergency;
(3) what is the total cost of the use of troops and army equipment to deal with the January 1982 snow emergency; and to whom this is chargeable.
§ Mr. WigginI have placed in the Library a copy of a pamphlet entitled "Military Aid to the Civil Community" issued in the first instance in 1968 by the Ministry of Defence and revised in 1978 for the guidance of civil authorities and organisations who request the assistance of the armed forces. Military aid during the recent snow and flood conditions was rendered under the arrangements contained in the pamphlet. It is too early to say what charges will be raised.