§ 25. Mr. Galleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will institute an inquiry into the feasibility of a long-term civil defence programme of adapting existing buildings and incorporating shelters in new construction.
§ Mr. Giles ShawUnder the current Civil Defence Regulations, local authorities are already required to plan for the adaptation of existing buildings and other structures as public shelters. To assist them undertake this substantial task the Home Office plans to establish pilot studies with the object of developing a suitable methodology. Simultaneously, as part of a continuing research programme, investigations will be maintained into shelter design, including low-cost means of adapting existing buildings for shelter.
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§ 26. Mr. Terlezkiasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what improvements have been made to the Civil Defence college library.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe library's budget was almost doubled last year, to £3,000, and the hours when it is staffed during the week increased from 22 to 29½
§ 32. Mr. Evennettasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to issue guidance on planning for a wartime rescue service.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThis matter is under active consideration and we hope to issue guidance early next year.
§ 39. Mr. Robert Banksasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will issue guidelines to local authorities on the adoption of the international civil defence insignia and identity card laid down in the Geneva convention.
§ Mr. Giles ShawAdoption of this symbol is one of the requirements of the protocols added in 1977 to the 1949 Geneva convention. Although these have not yet been ratified by Her Majesty's Government, we have agreed with my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs that the Government should nevertheless adopt the symbol. Appropriate guidance will be issued accordingly.
§ 46. Mr. Doverasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he hopes to release his new information booklet and film on civil defence; and what the costs will be.
§ 69. Mr. Neil Thorneasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he hopes to release his new film and information booklet on civil defence; and what the costs will be in each case.
§ Mr. Giles ShawI expect the film to be available around the middle of next year. One hundred thousand pounds has been allocated for its production. Printed public information material should be available at the same time, but no estimate of costs has yet been made.
§ 50. Mr. Roger Kingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he hopes to have his information package on the police role in war available.
§ Mr. Giles ShawIt is hoped to have this material ready early next year. It is intended primarily for the use of police officers in explaining the police role to civil defence volunteers.
§ 54. Mr. Lewis Stevensasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much of the civil defence research programme has been undertaken outside of his Department during the financial years 1984–85 and 1985–86, by subject agencies, and costs.
§ Mr. Giles ShawTotal extramural civil defence expenditure in 1984–85 was £178,235 and for 1985–86 is estimated to be £719,000. The details are as follows:
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Subject 1984–85 £ 1985–86 £ Improvised shelter studies 74,845 678,978 EMP effects 22,746 — Radiation detection equipment 72,147 — Training material 8,397 5,000 Warning and monitoring — 35,000
§ 55. Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to be able to issue training material for civil defence volunteers.
§ Mr. Giles ShawIt is hoped that the bulk will be ready for issue next spring.
§ 57. Dr. Twinnasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are being taken to seek to ensure that staff at the Civil Defence college understand the inner workings of local authorities.
§ Mr. Giles ShawCivil Defence college staff at all levels are in regular contact with the many local authority members and officials who attend courses at the college, and through the Civil Defence college liaison committee.
§ 59. Mr. Andrew Hunterasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to make his first regular report to the House on local authority civil defence performance.
§ Mr. Giles ShawLocal authorities have been asked to complete plans under the 1983 regulations by the end of the year. We shall take stock in the light of those plans and prepare a staged programme for further action and shall report to the House at that point.
§ 60. Mr. Hickmetasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will issue guidelines to local authorities for the preparation of evacuation plans for the civil population living close to major service establishments, similar to the plans required by the Control of Industrial Major Accident Hazards Regulations.
§ Mr. Giles ShawNo. Whilst the Government recognise that there are some common elements in planning localised evacuations whether in peacetime or war, they have no present plans for adding to existing guidance on the basis proposed.
§ 63. Mr. Phillip Oppenheimasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to develop the work of the Civil Defence college.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe role and work of the college is currently being reviewed in the light of recent and likely future developments in civil defence policy and planning. The aim is principally to identify improvements in course arrangements, teaching content and, where practicable, facilities.