Written question asked by Damian Green (Conservative) on Tuesday, 25 October 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 27 October 2005. It was answered by Baroness Winterton of Doncaster (Labour) on Friday, 11 November 2005 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Emergency Preparedness

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to institute a national chemical biological radiation network alerting system; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: The Department works together with the Home Office and other Government Departments in responding to chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents or events. The Department has instituted protocols for receiving alerts on a wide range of emergency situations. These alerts may arise from surveillance systems in operation, principally on infectious diseases and dangerous pathogens, or from other organisations that operate surveillance systems or from responders to incidents. Standard operating procedures are in place to ensure onward alerting to Government Departments and agencies and to others who need to know.Surveillance systems operate on a local, regional and national level and based on 24/7 service. The national network system is connected to the European Union alerting mechanisms and, through the World Health Organisation, to global alerts.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 22687; 439 c815W;439 c815W
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Chemical weapons Biological weapons Emergencies Emergency services Pollution Monitoring Radioactivity Radioactive Incident Monitoring Network
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk