HC Deb 05 April 1984 vol 57 cc610-1W
Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department which aspects of his Department's circular ESI/1977 (incorporating HDC(77)1, "The Preparation and Organisation of the Health Service for War", will remain valid until publication of the new consolidated circular.

Mr. Hurd

HDC(77)1 is being revised by the Department of Health and Social Security. Until replaced, the guidance contained in it remains valid.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his Department's circular ESI/1979, "Food and Agricultural Controls in War", is to be revised and included in his Department's new consolidated circular.

Mr. Hurd

Yes.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the suggested syllabuses for police war duties courses, as in his Department's circular ES4/1979, are being revised to include the effects of conventional weapons; and when such revised training courses will be available.

Mr. Hurd

The content of police war duties courses was revised last year and now includes this subject.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the syllabuses for the training of scientific advisers at local, regional and central levels, in his Department's circular ES2/1982, are being revised to include training in the effects of conventional weapons; and when such revised training courses will be available.

Mr. Hurd

The role of the scientific adviser is primarily to provide advice to local authority controllers on the effects of any nuclear attack, and there are at present no plans to revise the syllabus in the way described.

Mr. Tony Banks

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his Department's circular ES3/1981, "Protection of the General Public in War," is being revised to include protection of the public from the effects of conventional attack.

Mr. Hurd

Home Office circular No. ES3/1981 will be incorporated in the new consolidated circular. This will deal with the effects of conventional attack.