§ Mr. Neil Thorneasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Government expect to provide further guidance to help local authorities carry out their functions under the new civil defence regulations.
§ Mr. BrittanWe have today sent to the local authority associations and the GLC for comment a draft of the new consolidated circular on emergency planning. This new circular updates, expands and replaces current emergency services (ES) circulars issued by the Home Office to local authorities. We plan to issue the circular to all local authorities in the autumn when consultation is complete.
We have also today issued to local authorities in England and Wales circulars giving guidance on planning assumptions and on the arrangements for the continuation of government in a period of tension and war, and to fire authorities a circular on war emergency planning for the fire service.
Copies of all these circulars, including the draft circular, have been placed in the Library of the House.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland will take equivalent action in the next few days.