§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of training for service men is devoted to training for disasters or emergencies.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonApart from specialist search and rescue units, service men do not train specifically for civil disaster relief or non-military emergencies, as responsibility for dealing with these lies with the civil authorities. On occasions, however, the particular skills and equipment which the services possess can be of assistance, and established procedures exist for the civil authorities to call upon such assistance in certain circumstances.