HC Deb 06 February 2004 vol 417 cc1119-20W
Patrick Mercer

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what mechanisms are in place for informing the general public about changes to the national alert state; [152371]

(2) what the national state of alert is. [152374]

Mr. Blunkett

The UK has a range of alert systems that apply to the various sectors of the national infrastructure, dependent on the circumstances of each. These are determined in response to centrally prepared security, risk and intelligence assessments. Those sectors are informed of any changes as appropriate.

For reasons of security for any individual sector the policy of the Government and its predecessor is not to announce publicly changes in the Alert State system beyond the sector concerned.

Patrick Mercer

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures are being taken to protect major business sites in London from suicide bombers. [152373]

Mr. Blunkett

As the hon. Gentleman will appreciate it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the detail of protective security measures at specific sites, as this could compromise the safety of those sites.

However, there has been good work, and positive relationships have been developed, between law enforcement and security agencies and private sector businesses. They have allowed the mutual exchange of advice and information on protective security on an individual and group basis.

The Home Office manual 'Bombs: Protecting People and Property' provides public guidance on protective security and is available on the Home Office website at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/terrorism/protect/atwork/index.html.