§ Mr. Bill MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what improvements have been made to monitoring posts since the review of warning and monitoring was completed; what the costs of such improvements have been in each of the years 1987–88, 1988–89 and 1989–90; what further improvements are planned or under consideration; and what the costs of any such further improvements are expected to be in each of the years 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93.
§ Mr. John PattenSince the review of warning and monitoring was completed, a supply of replacement generator sets has been made available to those monitoring posts whose equipment had become unserviceable. The cost was £26,000 in 1989–90. A study has been undertaken into the provision of ventilation systems and field trials are planned to evaluate costs and effectiveness.
§ Mr. Bill MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what possible replacements for AWDREY and other Royal Observer Corps instrument systems have been identified; and how much such replacement systems are expected to cost.
§ Mr. John PattenPossible replacement systems for AWDREY and other Royal Observer Corps instrument systems have been identified. The systems are based on seismic, optical and electromagnetic pulse detectors but further development is required before the full costs can be estimated.
§ Mr. Bill MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what options are being considered for 131W the realignment of United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation sector boundaries; and what estimates have been made of the costs of implementing these options.
§ Mr. John PattenSeveral options for revising the group and sector warnings and monitoring boundaries to conform with the home defence regions are under consideration. Work is continuing on estimating their costs.
§ Mr. Bill MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any progress has been made regarding the setting up of new systems to convey data within the United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation.
§ Mr. John PattenA study is being conducted into the use of an enhanced emergency communications network to convey data within the United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation. This study will take account of the scope for introducing new information technology for both administrative purposes and wartime operations.
§ Mr. Bill MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what options are being considered for the collocation of UKWMO and Royal Observer Corps headquarters; and what estimates have been made of the costs of implementing these options.
§ Mr. John PattenThe Property Services Agency has identified three collocation options for basing the United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation and Royal Observer Corps headquarters at Cowley, Oxford. A full feasibility study is to be conducted which will include estimates of the costs of each option.
§ Mr. Bill MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any conclusions have been reached regarding replacement RADIAC instrumentation for monitoring of nuclear fallout; and what costs have so far been identified.
§ Mr. John PattenNo conclusions have been reached on replacing the RADIAC instrumentation for monitoring fallout. The costs will be identified when the customer requirements have been established.
§ Mr. Bill MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what options are being considered for the refurbishment and replacement of warning sirens; and what estimates have been made of the costs of implementing these options;
(2) whether any alternative to the use of sirens for warning of air attack is under consideration.
§ Mr. John PattenA study of the refurbishment and replacement of sirens has concluded that it would be expensive as a warning option. Further research is therefore being conducted on the cost effectiveness of alternative warning options such as the use of radio and television.