§ Mr. MillerTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the level of civil defence grant will be for the next financial year. [30365]
§ Mr. LeslieThe Government have now completed their consideration of what is necessary and affordable for emergency planning by local authorities having regard to the demands that have been placed on emergency planners in recent times. We have decided, subject to the Civil Defence (Grant) Bill completing its passage through Parliament, to maintain the total grant level at around this year's level, currently estimated at some £18.6 million. The next stage is to decide how the grant will be distributed between the eligible authorities. Consideration is currently being given to the use of a formula and we will consult local authority representatives before finalising the grant allocation mechanism.