HC Deb 19 December 1986 vol 107 cc729-30W
Mr. Frank Cook

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Cleveland as to the training which police in Stockton on Tees, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and Langbaurgh areas receive in dealing with accidents involving radioactive contamination;

(2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Cleveland as to the equipment available to the police and as to the conduct of emergency and evacuation exercises, in the Stockton on Tees, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool and Langbaurgh areas.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

All officers of Cleveland constabulary are made aware of the national arrangements for dealing with incidents involving radioactivity (the NAIR scheme). Officers attend initial and refresher courses in dealing with incidents involving hazardous materials, including radioactive substances. Course open to officers of other forces and emergency services are also run. Relevant equipment is held by the fire service. Contingency plans are regularly tested in exercises held with industry, including the CEGB at Hartlepool.

Mr. Frank Cook

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Durham as to the training which police in the Sedgefield, Easington, Darlington, Teesdale, Derwentside, Wear Valley, Chester-le-Street and Durham areas receive in dealing with accidents involving radioactive contamination;

(2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Durham as to the equipment available to the police, and as to the conduct of emergency and evacuation exercises, in the Sedgefield, Easington, Darlington, Teesdale, Derwentside, Wear Valley, Chester-le-Street, and Durham areas.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

All officers of Durham constabulary are made aware of the existence of the national arrangements for dealing with incidents involving radioactivity (the NAIR scheme). Some officers of the rank of sergeant and above attend training courses in dealing with incidents involving radioactive substances run by Cleveland constabularly. Relevant equipment is held by the fire service and is also available from industry. During 1986 one major incident exercise has been held, and plans for the evacuation of premises were used operationally twice.

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