§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in the interests of a standard approach to the matter in local government, he intends to give any guidance in departmental circulars to local authorities regarding the appropriate qualifications and experience for county emergency planning officers.
§ Mr. HurdThe selection and appointment of county emergency planning officers is a matter which properly falls within the discretion of local authorities. We do not propose to give specific guidance to them on this matter but general guidance was given in circular ES 1/1972.
§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from county emergency planning officers regarding the need for a regional structure to co-ordinate and guide county councils in preparing their emergency plans; and what response he has given.
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§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what organisations he recognises for the purposes of discussion or negotiation as representative of county emergency planning officers; and whether, in order to improve the co-ordination of advice offered to him, he envisages making available any financial assistance to them to engage full-time permanent staff.
§ Mr. HurdThe Home Office has a close working relationship with both the County Emergency Planning Officers' Society and the Association of Civil Defence and Emergency Planning Officers. Neither has sought financial assistance and we have no plans to provide it.