§ Mr. PatnickTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the current state of civil defence planning in the areas covered by the joint fire and civil defence authorities with particular reference to south Yorkshire, as evidenced by those authorities' submission in response to his Department's circular dated 30 October 1986, entitled "A planned programme of implementation"; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John PattenThe initial submissions in response to the circular were in the form of preparatory information on how the planning requirements of the Civil Defence (General Local Authority Functions) Regulations 1983 would be met. These indicated that in general progress was being made in civil defence planning. In April 1988 county level authorities, including joint fire and civil defence authorities, were required to submit the first group of operational plans: these are now being considered.