§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what plans he has to issue guidance to health authorities about which categories of people will be allowed treatment for injuries after a nuclear war and who will not.
§ Mrs. CurrieAfter any disaster the responsibility for sorting of casualties and allocation of priorities for treatment lies with doctors or ambulance personnel attending the injured at the material time. This principle applies in both peacetime and wartime emergencies.
We are at present considering revised guidance on civil defence planning in the National Health Service but it will not attempt to categorise casualties. Planning officers who will respond to the guidance are aware that this is a matter for professional judgment in the light of particular circumstances.