§ Mr. Bill MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in respect of his powers under section 156 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, how many applications from fire and civil defence authorities regarding expenditure on civil emergency co-ordination he has received; how much expenditure each application was in respect of; how much expenditure was agreed to by his Department in each case; and whether his Department has any plans to issue guidance concerning the application of section 156 of the Act.
§ Mr. John PattenSection 156 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 enables a fire and civil defence authority, with the consent of the Secretary of State, to incur expenditure within the existing resources of principal councils in co-ordinating planning by principal councils with respect to emergencies or disasters. With the exception of an initial approach from the London fire and civil defence authority for the expenditure of £8,000 which has not yet been decided, no applications have been received. We have no plans at present to issue guidance about the application of this section of the Act.