HC Deb 31 March 2003 vol 402 c515W
Mr. Keetch

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on his Department's(a) responsibilities and (b) assets with regard to civil contingency planning; what funds are committed; what action he is taking within his Department to improve such planning; and what action he is taking in collaboration with other departments. [102623]

Mr. Jamieson

I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for the Cabinet Office on 21 March 2003Official Report, columns 957–58. Following a recent internal review the Department has increased its capacity for handling civil contingency planning by establishing a dedicated team within its Defence and Civil Contingency Planning Division. The overall resource for the current year is around £850,000 and will increase by £150,000 for 2003–04 mainly to reflect the increased work on civil contingency planning.

The Civil Contingency Planning team is reviewing the Department's role with the transport sector's own contingency planning. It is also working closely with Whitehall committees, Government Departments and Government Offices on developing civil contingency issues and responses to such events, as demonstrated by the co-operation during the current fire fighters dispute and recent exercises. The team is also working closely on the improvement of the department's own contingency plan. The Department will also continue to play an active role in Government exercises.