HC Deb 15 October 2002 vol 390 cc731-2W
Mr. Wray

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what recent steps have been taken to bring Government departments together to take co-ordinated action in event of a terrorist attack. [74409]

Mr. Alexander

Since the attacks of 11 September 2001, the Government has conducted a wide ranging review of UK counter terrorist procedures and infrastructure, including physical and legislative measures to disrupt, deter and prevent terrorist activity. The Government's progress report "The United Kingdom and the Campaign against International Terrorism" published on 9 September, and placed in the library of the House, provides a summary of action taken to strengthen counter-terrorism measures within the UK.

The Civil Contingencies Secretariat (CCS) was formed prior to the events of 11 September with a specific remit to co-ordinate improvements in civil emergency planning and since September 11 has been bringing departments and key organisations together to enhance preparedness for any major disruptive incident. This has included: working to designate lead departments for specific incidents, ensuring that they have satisfactory response plans and taking forward work towards a Civil Contingencies Bill. Further information on the preparedness of the UK to respond to a major terrorist attack can be found on the website maintained by the CCS at: http:// www.ukresilience.info/home.htm

Mr. Wray

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what recent changes have been made in the areas of counter-terrorism and civil contingencies in event of a terrorist attack. [74408]

Mr. Alexander

The Government has established procedures for managing any terrorist incident, including the consequences. The response to any terrorist incident relies upon a co-ordinated approach and the Government draws upon the resources of relevant departments, the security and intelligence agencies, the police, the military, scientific and other specialist advice, local authorities and the emergency services. The UK crisis management machinery is based on a proven response capability, co-ordinated through the Cabinet Office. Each agency involved contributes its own specialist skills and resources to achieve an effective response and outcome to the incident.

To further enhance the capacity at the centre of Government to co-ordinate security, intelligence and consequence management matters and deal with risks and major emergencies should they arise, Sir David Omand KCB was appointed as Security and Intelligence Co-ordinator and Permanent Secretary to the Cabinet Office in June this year.

Mr. Wray

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what recent resources have been provided for the CCS for central co-ordination and direction. [74410]

Mr. Alexander

None. The total administrative resource budget for the Civil Contingencies Secretariat in the 2002–03 financial year is £6.9 million.