§ Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what role was played by the Government's Office for Civil Nuclear Security in the preparation of the 71W "National Guidance on Decontamination Following the Accidental or Deliberate Release of Dangerous Material", published on 3 February 2003; and what steps he has taken to publicise this guidance to relevant bodies and individuals. [96922]
§ Mr. DenhamAdvice on civil nuclear issues to inform the "Strategic National Guidance on the Decontamination of People Exposed to CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) Substances or Material" was obtained through the Department of Trade and Industry.
Following the written ministerial statement I made on 3 February 2003, Official Report, column 3WS, a press release announcing the publication of the guidance was issued. The document has been placed on the Home Office and UK Resilience websites. Stakeholder organisations, including Government Departments, the emergency services and local government have been asked to ensure that their members are made aware that copies of the guidance can be downloaded and to place links to the document on their own websites. Notification of the publication has also been sent directly to Emergency Planning Officers.