§ 24. Mr. Aspinwallasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Government have any plans to seek to require local authorities to increase their emergency staff establishments to enable them to meet their civil defence responsibilities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Giles ShawThe Government intend that the new fire and civil defence authorities will be adequately staffed to meet their civil defence resposibilities. We have no plans to extend the temporary controls available for these authorities to others, but consideration will be given to what guidance on manpower levels would be right when the assessment of progress on implementation of the 1983 regulations is complete.
§ 47. Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the Government have a target for the number of civil defence volunteers to be recruited by the end of 1986: and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Giles ShawNot at present, but we will consider this when the assessment of progress on implementation of the 1983 regulations is complete.
§ 49. Mr. Greenwayasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has contingency plans for calling on civil defence volunteers to assist the emergency services in the event of terrorist use of chemical weapons or materials.
§ Mr. Giles ShawNo, civil defence volunteers are community-based and their help in any emergency would be a matter for local decision.
§ 61. Mr. Neil Thorneasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he proposes to set a date by which local authorities will be required to undertake the responsibilities laid down in the 1983 civil defence regulations; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Giles ShawIt is intended that target dates will form part of the planned programme of implementation of the 1983 regulations which will be issued to local authorities later this year.