§ Mr. Liddell-GraingerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence where the emergency planning centres are in Somerset. [83392]
§ Mr. AlexanderI have been asked to reply.
The Ministry of Defence has no emergency planning centres in Somerset.
Planning for emergencies at the local level is the responsibility of a range of organisations, including local authorities and the emergency services. This ensures the degree of operational flexibility necessary for local services to respond to such emergencies, taking account of specific local needs. These organisations act within a framework of well established guidelines produced by central Government and professional bodies such as the Association of Chief Police Officers, in order to ensure effective co-ordination and consistency of approach.