HC Deb 24 February 2003 vol 400 cc255-6W
Angela Watkinson

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the London Fire Brigade and the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority in forming contingency plans for a major emergency in the capital. [98983]

Mr. Raynsford

The London Fire Brigade (LFB), and the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA) and its predecessors, have long been closely involved in contingency planning for a major emergency in the capital. Following the events of 11 September 2001, it was recognised that an enhanced emergency planning capability involving LFB, LFEPA and other key agencies was needed to deal with the new kind of threat. In May 2002, a new strategic planning regime was set up under the London Resilience Forum, chaired by myself with the Mayor as my deputy. LFB and LFEPA are represented at a senior level on the London Resilience Forum, and secondees from LFB and LFEPA are attached to the London Resilience Team, an inter-agency team based in the Government Office for London which reports to me and which is driving forward a programme of action to increase London's

Start Finish
Housing and Regeneration
Allocation of accommodation—Code of Guidance for Local Authorities 31 May 2002 27 August 2002
Timing of rent increases for assured periodic tenancies in England and Wales—proposals to change rules 21 June 2002 13 September 2002
New Financial Framework for Local Authority Housing: Resource Accounting in the Housing Revenue Account 26 June 2002 9 September 2002
Homelessness Code of Guidance for Local Authorities 8 July 2002 31 October 2002
Housing Renewal Guidance—Consultative Document 22 July 2002 10 October 2002
Proposal to change delegation of Housing Management for Local Housing Authorities 31 July 2002 27 September 2002
Housing Capital Finance—Way Forward 2 August 2002 18 October 2002
Removal of requirement for Local Authorities to obtain consent to run a Cash Incentive Scheme 16 August 2002 18 October 2002
Home Ownership: Revised procedures for consulting service charge payers about service charges 20 August 2002 30 November 2002
Memorandum and Articles for Right to Manage/Right to Enfranchise Companies as proposed in the Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002 13 September 2002 31 December 2002
Home Improvement Agencies-—Development and Reform 30 September 2002 31 December 2002
Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002—Restrictions on the use of forfeiture for long residential leases 18 October 2002 31 December 2002
Commonhold and Leasehold Reform Act 2002—Prescribed Content and Form of Notices associated with acquiring the Right to Manage 25 October 2002 31 December 2002
Housing Revenue Account (item 8) and Subsidy Determinations (Draft) 2003–04 14 November 2002 12 December 2002
Proposal to give Local Authorities financial freedom to build new social housing in HRA Private Finance Initiative schemes 29 January 2003 26 February 2003
Delivering Adaptations—Desk Guide, Overview and Check List 10 February 2003 2 May 2003
Updating the English Indices of Deprivation 2000' 22 November 2002 15 January 2003
Neighbourhood Renewal Unit— Research Strategy consultation 1 June 2002 31 August 2002
Tenancy Money—Probity and protection' 28 October 2002 28 February 2003
Local Government
Local Government Finance: Review Support Grant for 2003–04 5 December 2002 14 January 2003
Local Government Finance: Revenue Support Grant 2001–02—Proposed Amending Report 5 December 2002 14 January 2003
Local Government Finance: Formula Grant Distribution 8 July 2002 30 September 2002
Draft Local Government Bill 12 June 2002 23 August 2002
Accounting for Retirement Benefits 9 January 2003 14 February 2003
Revised guidance on rate relief for charities and other non-profit making organisations 1 May 2002 30 August 2002
Rating of food processing and packaging plants currently exempt from non-domestic rates 1 May 2002 31 July 2002
Rating of meters—Non Domestic Rates: Gas, Electricity, Water Meters 13 June 2002 31 July 2002
Conduct of Councillors: Local Investigation and Determination of Misconduct Allegations. 20 May 2002 1 July 2002

preparedness against a major terrorist attack. As part of this programme, LFB, LFEPA and other key agencies have been closely involved in drawing up a new command and control structure for ensuring a coordinated response from the emergency services, the Government and other key players in the event of a catastrophic incident.

Angela Watkinson

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what arrangements have been made to co-ordinate the activities of the emergency services in responding to a major incident. [98984]

Mr. Alexander

I have been asked to reply.

I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Tom Brake) on 19 December 2002, Official Report, column 893W.