HC Deb 13 November 1987 vol 122 cc327-8W
Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy that planning by local authorities for emergencies arising from accidents or incidents at nuclear power stations in the United Kingdom or abroad takes precedence over planning for war emergencies; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

No. The Civil Defence (General Local Authority Functions) Regulations 1983 impose a number of civil defence duties on local authorities, and under the Civil Protection in Peacetime Act 1986 civil defence planning may take into account the possibility of a peacetime emergency. No statutory requirements are imposed on local authorities in relation to planning for accidents at nuclear power stations in the United Kingdom, but in practice all local authorities recognise the need to make plans in consultation with the operators of sites in their areas, and with other agencies involved. As regards incidents arising from nuclear installations overseas, the position was explained by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 30 June.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the principal differences between current plans for civil nuclear emergencies on the one hand, and war emergencies on the other, with particular reference to the evacuation of the civilian population and the role and location of emergency services.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

Planning for a wartime emergency requires consideration of a wide range of possible scenarios, from a period of international tension to a nuclear attack. Plans for dealing with an accident at a nuclear installation are based on coping with the worst accident considered to have a practicable chance of occurring. The operations of an installation are required to draw up emergency plans (approved by the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate of the Health and Safety Executive) in collaboration with local authorities and emergency services to deal with on-site and off-site aspects of an accident. Plans for each site cover all relevant factors, including questions of evacuation.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the implications for casualty numbers of implementing current civil defence advice to the public to stay put in the event of a nuclear attack; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

Detailed assessments of this kind are not made. As the emergency planning guidance to local authorities makes clear, the effects of nuclear attack would be determined by such factors as the strategic intentions of the enemy and meteorological conditions.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether authorities charged with a duty to plan for the protection of the public in war will receive guidance from his Department on planning for a wartime rescue service; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

A report by the joint local authority-Home Office working group is currently under consideration. Guidance to local authorities will be issued in due course.