HC Deb 19 May 1993 vol 225 c204W
Mr. Dowd

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if the United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation's national emergency warning system is still operational; and on what date he intends to have a new system fully operational.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

The United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation siren-based national air raid warning system was closed towards the end of last year. Alternative arrangements which are based on radio and television broadcasts exist. Studies are being carried out to see whether any enhancement of these facilities is required.

Mr. Dowd

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home department what study has been made of the efficacy of the emergency national warning system in the Netherlands; and what plans he has to introduce a similar system in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

We are aware of the Netherlands system but have no plans to introduce similar arrangements here.