§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, further to his answer of 22 January,Official Report, column 168, if he will make a statement on the progress of the review of guidance to local authorities on emergency planning procedures.
§ Mr. John PattenMr. David Brook, the civil emergencies adviser, is preparing guidance on preparing for and responding to peacetime disasters. This guidance will be based on the lessons learnt from recent disasters and the experiences of those involved. It will complement the emergency procedures manuals prepared by the emergency services. The guidance will not be issued until all those agencies upon whose responsibilities it touches, including local authorities, have been consulted about its contents. This process is currently under way.
Home Office guidance aimed solely at local authorities, currently contained in the "Emergency Planning Guide to Local Authorities", will be revised in the light of the outcome of the review of emergency planning announced on 16 October at column 769.