§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans there are to provide national guidance for schools and care homes in the case of a serious civil emergency. [174687]
§ Mr. Ivan LewisThe Home Office, alongside the emergency services will provide immediate information and advice in the event of a discernible threat or a specific incident. My Department, in its guidance on coping with emergencies www.teachernet.gov.uk/1528W emergencies), refers schools to Home Office guidance for civil contingencies; and will liaise with the Cabinet Office before writing to chief education officers about the Civil Contingencies Bill due to come into force later this year. We are not currently planning to provide separate national guidance for children's homes in the case of a serious civil emergency. However, we will keep this under review.