§ Ms. RuddockTo ask the Prime Minister whether she intends to participate in any or all of the military home defence exercises Eastern Shield, Capital Guard, Drake's Drum, Autumn Tiger, Northern Crusade, Western Encounter, Triple Crown and Strong Link, due to take place in September and October 1988; whether it is intended to activate the Cabinet Office Briefing Room, COBRA, and transition-to-war headquarters PINDAR; and if she will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterThe military home defence exercises planned for September and October 1988 are district field training exercises, each under the independent command of the appropriate general officer commanding. The questions of Ministerial participation and of the involvement of central crisis management machinery do not arise.