HC Deb 21 December 1999 vol 341 cc526-7W
Mr. Cohen

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when the fully staged incident involving all the emergency services was carried out on the A12 Hackney to M11 link road; what consideration was given to the possibility of such an incident being in a tunnel; what was the outcome; and if he will make a statement. [102972]

Mr. Hill

As the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State advised in her answer of 23 June 1999,Official Report, columns 401–05W, a successful incident exercise was held in the George Green tunnel on 28 May 1999 involving the Fire Brigade. It was intended to hold an incident exercise with all three emergency services before the tunnel was opened, but unfortunately this did not prove possible.

Holding an exercise now that the road is opened could be highly disruptive. Discussions are continuing with the emergency services to agree the form and timing of a full exercise. I am pressing for this to be held at the earliest opportunity.