§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what is his budget for defence of the civil community from nuclear attack and aid from his Department in the event of terrorist and other nuclear incidents in the current year; and if he will make a statement; [29717]
(2) what is his budget for defence of the civil community from chemical and biological attack and for aid from his Department in the event of terrorist and other chemical and biological incidents in the current financial year; and if he will make a statement. [29718]
§ Mr. George HowarthThe Home Office is responsible for civil defence and provides grants to some local authorities as a contribution towards the cost of their emergency planning arrangements. In the current financial year, the total civil defence grant available is £14,457 million. The grant is provided to support emergency planning for the complete range of incidents, however caused.
A series of classified contingency plans exist for responding to a wide range of terrorist threats, including those which might involve the threatened or actual use of nuclear, chemical or biological materials.
The Department of Trade and Industry is the lead Government department for nuclear incidents at civil installations in England and Wales.