HC Deb 22 June 1988 vol 135 cc558-9W
Mr. Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to improve current arrangements for dealing with civil emergencies in the metropolis.

Mr. John Patten

Following recent major emergencies the Home Office is looking closely at the effectiveness of our present arrangements for responding to emergencies anywhere in the United Kingdom and at the possibilities for improvements. Officials will shortly be issuing a consultation paper to explore the issues with the emergency services and other interested parties, including local government associations; the Association of London Authorities and the London Boroughs Association will be included in this consultation process.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria are used in the compiling of lists of approved contractors and tenderers for work on civil defence facilities; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Patten

Companies seeking inclusion on lists of approved contractors must first satisfy the Department that they are technically, financially and commercially able to perform the contracts for which they apply. The Property Services Agency, which manages civil defence building projects on behalf of the Home Office, applies similar criteria.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department is taking to utilise private sector expertise in the hardening against nuclear electro-magnetic pulse of civil defence communications systems in both local authority emergency centres and regional government headquarters; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Patten

The private sector has provided assessments of equipment resilience and advice on protection measures; we expect to continue to draw on such expertise.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps are being taken to ensure that the new PABX telephone switchboard systems to be fitted in local authority emergency centres will fully meet all the operational requirements of such systems, including hardening against nuclear electro-magnetic pulse; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Patten

Operational requirements for these systems have been prepared in consultation with local authority users, and an assessment of resilience against the effects of electro-magnetic pulse will be a requirement of the equipment specification.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what involvement Rainford Secure Systems has had in the drawing up of specifications for the new PABX telephone switchboard systems to be installed in local authority emergency centres; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Patten

None, although before specifications were prepared, and in accordance with normal practice, information was sought from communications equipment suppliers, including Rainford Secure Systems, in order to establish the range of equipment and facilities likely to be commercially available.