§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many nuclear bunkers have been built or provided by local authorities in Wales to date; and how many additional hunkers are now being planned.
§ Mr. John PattenThe Civil Defence (General Local Authority Functions) Regulations 1983 impose on local authorities a duty to establish, equip and maintain emergency centres for the control and co-ordination of action in the event of hostile attack or threat of attack. Of the total of 53 such centres required in Wales, 16 are in place and comply with standards advised in guidance given to local authorities. A further 14 centres require modification in order to meet these standards fully. Planning for such modifications and for the provision of additional centres will be raised in current discussion with relevant authorities in connection with their performance generally in meeting civil defence statutory requirements.