HC Deb 25 July 1988 vol 138 c41W
Mr. Thorne

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria are used in determining the degree of protection provided to the general public in his home defence and civil protection policy.

Mr. John Patten

The level of civil defence protection must be proportionate to the risk of war in Europe, which is presently considered to be very low. Policy development in this area is based upon section 7 of the emergency planning guidance to local authorities, copies of which are in the Library.

Mr. Thorne

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what provision he has made for the building, and conversion of existing buildings to offer shelter and protection to the general public in time of war;

(2) what protection is available to the general public against (i) nuclear and (ii) chemical attack in time of war; and if these include the issue of respirators and protective clothing to all citizens.

Mr. John Patten

Public provision of purpose-built shelters cannot be justified because of the high cost. Successive Governments have concluded that people should stay in their homes, using and improving the available protection. Local authorities have a duty to plan for the use of existing structures as shelter for people who would be unable to achieve useful protection in their homes. In the event of a war crisis, advice would be given on expedient measures to improve protection in the home. The manual "Domestic Nuclear Shelters—Technical Guidance", copies of which are in the Library, gives details of designs for purpose-built and improvised shelters. In respect of chemical attack, studies into effects and protective measures are continuing.

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