Civil Defence (Hansard, 16 June 1988)

Dr. Thomas
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will identify the terms of reference of work on 225W (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. Ian Stewart
The terms of reference of work on civil emergencies and home defence planning are classified. The other information sought is not available in the form requested.

Dr. Thomas
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 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 the bodies; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Ian Stewart
The Ministry of Defence has no formal links with the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation civil emergency planning boards and committees. However, MOD officials are consulted as necessary by the relevant lead Department on matters which are of interest to the MOD. The scale of MOD involvement varies and it is not possible to quantify this without disproportionate time and effort.

Regular Forces UDR Civilians

1974 16,991 7,816 ¹not available

1975 15,732 7,676 not available

1976 15,627 7,793 not available

1977 15,427 7,616 not available

1978 15,287 7,812 ²3,364

1979 13,704 7,761 3,305

1980 13,389 7,425 3,231

1981 12,143 7,431 3,087

1982 11,799 7,350 2,947

1983 11,357 7,026 2,825

1984 10,260 6,929 2,761

1985 10,222 6,468 2,709

1986 10,090 6,508 2,693

1987 11,158 6,535 2,621

1988 10,887 6,364 2,618

¹ Civilian numbers prior to 1978 are not readily available and could only be produced at disproportionate cost.

² Civilian numbers in 1978 are at 1 April.

Information on costs is not available in the form requested. However, the following information is available on the extra costs of military operations in Northern Ireland:

Financial year Extra costs¹ at outturn prices

£ million

1981–82 149

1982–83 143

1983–84 141

1984–85 121

1985–86 135

1986–87 144

1987–88 168

¹ These costs are derived from an annual assessment of the resources which MOD requires to fulfil those tasks which relate directly to the campaign against terrorism in Northern Ireland.

	Regular Forces	UDR	Civilians
1974	16,991	7,816	¹not available
1975	15,732	7,676	not available
1976	15,627	7,793	not available
1977	15,427	7,616	not available
1978	15,287	7,812	²3,364
1979	13,704	7,761	3,305
1980	13,389	7,425	3,231
1981	12,143	7,431	3,087
1982	11,799	7,350	2,947
1983	11,357	7,026	2,825
1984	10,260	6,929	2,761
1985	10,222	6,468	2,709
1986	10,090	6,508	2,693
1987	11,158	6,535	2,621
1988	10,887	6,364	2,618
¹ Civilian numbers prior to 1978 are not readily available and could only be produced at disproportionate cost.
² Civilian numbers in 1978 are at 1 April.

Financial year	Extra costs¹ at outturn prices
	£ million
1981–82	149
1982–83	143
1983–84	141
1984–85	121
1985–86	135
1986–87	144
1987–88	168
¹ These costs are derived from an annual assessment of the resources which MOD requires to fulfil those tasks which relate directly to the campaign against terrorism in Northern Ireland.