§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Avon and Somerset as to what items of equipment relevant to an incident involving radioactivity are available from stores located in Avon and Somerset for use by police and the Avon and Somerset constabulary: what number of (a) personal dosimeters, (b) other radiation meters, (c) sets of protective clothing and (d) breathing units, are available from such stores; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of Avon and Somerset as to what training facilities are used by the Avon and Somerset constabulary for courses in dealing with incidents involving radioactivity; what number of officers have attended such courses in each of the last five years; what training is given in the use of relevant equipment; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas Hogg[pursuant to his reply, 19 January 1987, c. 358]: Officers of Avon and Somerset constabulary are trained in the effects of radiation during initial training. Further training is given to senior officers. The 412W force plan for major incidents covers a wide range of civil emergencies, including those involving radioactivity. It is exercised at least once a year. Avon and Somerset constabulary holds some 12 dosimeters and 694 radiac survey meters (PDRM 82s); protective equipment and breathing apparatus is held by Avon and Somerset fire brigade. Further equipment and professional advice is available as set out in the emergency planning guidance to local authorities (a copy is in the Library).
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of north Wales on the items of equipment available for police use in an accident involving radioactive contamination at (a) A division (Caernarfon), (b) B division (Llandudno), (c) C division (Prestatyn) and (d) D division (Wrexham) of the north Wales police. listing in each case the number of (i) dosimeters, (ii) radiac survey meters, (iii) sets of protective clothing, (iv) breathing units and (v) decontamination units;
(2) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of north Wales on what training the police in (a) A division (Caernarfon), (b) B division (Llandudno), (c) C division (Prestatyn) and (d) D division (Wrexham) of the north Wales police have received to deal with accidents involving radioactivity; what regular exercises the division carries out to deal with such accidents; and at what intervals such exercises take place;
(3) if he will call for a report from the chief constable of North Wales on what exercises have taken place over the past five years to prepare the police of the north Wales constabulary for (a) an accident involving radioactive contamination and (b) evacuation of the population in the event of the worst case of nuclear reactor disaster under adverse meteorological conditions; and if he will list in each case which units participated.
§ Mr. Douglas Hogg[pursuant to his reply, 13 January 1987, c. 148–49]: Officers of the north Wales police are trained in the effects of radioactivity during initial training. Officers of A and B divisions take part in exercises with the CEGB at Trawsfynydd and Wylfa. In the last five years there have been five annual exercises at each site and two broader exercises. All exercise scenarios include radioactive contamination. The force reviews annually plans for evacuation of areas around the sues. North Wales police hold centrally 12 dosimeters and 780 radiac survey meters (PDRM 82s). A division holds 30 breathing units and B division 40. Further equipment and professional advice is available as set out in the emergency planning guidance to local authorities (a copy is in the Library).