asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is satisfied that the new site chosen for the stockpile of first-aid equipment to be moved from Hookwood will be accessible to the local authorities which would have expected to use it in the event of a serious civil disorder.

I am satisfied that suitable alternative storage facilities are being provided for the civil defence stockpile transferred from Hookwood.

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the sites in each region where emergency first-aid stores are sited.

Civil defence equipment is held in the following stores:

• Bristol
• Burtonwood
• Cardiff
• Milton
• Royston
• Weedon

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what consultations he has with local authorities and health authorities about the siting of emergency stores of first-aid equipment; how they are financed; on whose authority they are used; and under what circumstances.

Preliminary consultations have been carried out with regional health authorities about the location of the civil defence stock piles which are stored by the property Services Agency on behalf of the Department which is responsible for the handling and storage costs. The equipment is intended for use in the event of a major catastrophe and is released by the Department to both health and local authorities when required.