HC Deb 27 March 2003 vol 402 cc342-3W
Mr. Keetch

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements are in place to establish a national network of observers to monitor and report evidence of chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear attacks on the UK population. [103430]

Mr. Blunkett

The Government have taken several approaches to monitor for chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear releases, accidental or deliberate. These approaches include the well-established Radiological Incident Monitoring Network (RIMNET), air pollution monitors, the Department of Health's surveillance system and also the experience of the health and emergency services.

Mr. Keetch

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many units in the civil Departments are trained to respond to a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear terrorist attack. [103431]

Mr. Blunkett

The emergency services are trained to provide the immediate response to a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) incident, whether it is accidental or deliberate. There are also specialist bodies within the health service, such as the Chemical Incident Response Service; specialist agencies within Departments, such as the Environment Agency; and public bodies such as the National Radiological Protection Board or the Food Standards Agency.

These organisations, and others like them, are trained in the short, medium and long-term responses required to any incident involving CBRN material. They have assisted and continue to work with the Government in reviewing and maintaining contingency plans to make sure we maintain an effective response to potential CBRN incidents.