§ Mr. Neil Thorneasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what further guidance is being provided to help local authorities carry out their functions under the 1983 civil defence regulations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BrittanWe have now issued the new consolidated "Emergency Planning Guidance to Local Authorities." This updates, expands and replaces emergency services (ES) circulars issued by the Home Office to local authorities before 1985. Similar revised and updated guidance has been issued to the police and fire services. This guidance is supplemented by a technical handbook "Communal Shelters," designed to assist local authorities in identifying buildings and other structures suitable for use as civil defence shelters for the public. The284W report of the Home Office working party on standardisation of training of civil defence volunteers has also been sent to local authorities for their guidance.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has issued equivalent emergency planning guidance to Scottish authorities.
We have also published a revised edition of the information booklet "UKWMO" describing the workings of the United Kingdom warning and monitoring organisation; and the report of the Home Office working party on the scientific basis for the development of guidance and operational procedure for living under fallout conditions.
My right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has today published "Civil Defence and the Farmer" and my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Health and Social Security and for Scotland are seeking comments from health authorities and health boards and other interests on a draft document on civil defence planning in the Health Service.
Copies of all these publications have been placed in the Library.