§ Mr. Sternasked the Secretary of State for Social Services to what extent current civil defence planning 242W allows for the existence of isolation hospitals and secure infectious disease units in each region of the United Kingdom to cope with the possible outbreak of infectious disease following the use of chemical or biological weapons.
§ Mr. John Patten[pursuant to his reply, 20 November 1984, c. 128]: Existing facilities for handling communicable diseases are planned to meet present peacetime demands. Possible civil defence requirements would be different and planning has to be flexible, making the best use of whatever health facilities are available.