HC Deb 09 November 1982 vol 31 cc94-5W
Mr. Frank Allaun

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the problems in maintaining the present level of population without industry, imports or crops, following a nuclear attack on Great Britain; and if he considers that this will be possible.

Mr. Mayhew

The problems in sustaining the population immediately after a general nuclear attack would be severe, and dispersed stocks of essential food are held against this contingency. The pace of subsequent recovery would depend upon the scale of attack, the numbers surviving and the extent of damage, none of which can be estimated with certainty. The better the planning in peacetime by local authorities and others with responsibility for civil defence, the better would be the prospects for recovery.