HC Deb 28 May 2004 vol 422 c98W
Mr. Clifton-Brown

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans he has to increase local authority funding for emergency planning. [174688]

Mr. Alexander

The Government are in discussions with the Local Government Association on the issue of local authority funding for emergency planning.

Any additional pressures would be considered as part of established public expenditure processes.

Mr. Clifton-Brown

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what plans the Government have to establish a professional communications team in the event of a serious emergency. [174677]

Mr. Alexander

In the event of a crisis, emergency or major incident, there are well established, tested procedures in place to activate the Cabinet Office's News Co-ordination Centre (NCC). The NCC supports the Lead Government Department and co-ordinates communications across Government. Regular exercises on the operation of the NCC, which is staffed by communications specialists from across Government, take place.