HC Deb 26 March 2003 vol 402 c225W
Mr. Keetch

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her Department's(a) responsibilities and (b) assets with regard to civil contingency planning; what funds are committed; what action she is taking within her Department to improve such planning; and what action she is taking in collaboration with other departments. [102626]

Alun Michael

The information is as follows:

  1. (a) I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Mr. Alexander) on 21 March 2003, Official Report, columns 957–58W.
  2. (b) Defra is heavily engaged in the central Government programme to improve civil contingency planning, especially in areas relating to our Departmental responsibilities. Planning is developed and agreed with stakeholders, both in government and industry, to ensure that the UK's resilience to emergencies of all kinds is improved. It is not possible to identify separately the funds committed to civil contingency planning which is seen as part of normal business.

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