Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will identify the terms of reference of work on(a) civil emergencies and (b) home defence planning carried out in his Department, the number of staff involved and the annual budgets for 1985–86, 1986–87 and 1987–88; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RidleyMy Department's work on civil emergencies and home defence planning involves the development and operation of contingency measures for dealing with emergencies in peace-time, particularly in relation to water supply and the release of radioactive substances. The Property Services Agency provides works and estate management services to enable client departments to fulfil their operational requirements in any emergency.
The number of staff and annual budgets are as follows:
1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 Number of staff 8 17 19 Annual budget (inc. Capital £000s expenditure) 175 418 473 These figures do not include any staff who may do work related to civil emergencies and home defence planning incidental to their normal duties.
Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he will identify(a) liaison arrangements between his Department and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation civil emergency planning boards and committees, concerning civil emergency and home defence planning, and (b) the extent of collaborative work carried out with these bodies; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RidleyMy Department does not have any direct liaison arrangement with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation civil emergency planning boards and committees.