HC Deb 24 June 2002 vol 387 cc697-8W
Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what security measures are being taken to prevent terrorists from(a) smuggling into the United Kingdom a dirty bomb and (b) detonating such a device. [62708]

Mr. Blunkett

[holding answer 19 June 20021: Since the terrorist attacks in the United States on 11 September 2001, the Government have conducted a thorough comprehensive review of all preventative and protective measures to counter terrorism, including the possibilities to which my hon. Friend refers. We have built upon the plans which we have developed over a period of years for responding to a wide range of terrorist threats, including those which might involve the threatened or actual use of radiological or nuclear materials. For security reasons, it is not our policy to disclose details of these plans.

Additional resources that I announced following the Budget on 17 April 2002 have assisted in expanding the scope and effectiveness of these measures.