Written question asked by Tom Brake (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 5 December 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 19 December 2002. It was answered by Douglas Alexander (Labour) on Thursday, 19 December 2002 on behalf of the Cabinet Office.

Cabinet Office

Question: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, what the principal and common medium is for effective and secure communication between emergency services involved in contingency provision, with particular reference to when more than one major geographical area of England is involved.

Answer: Tom Brake: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the principal and common medium is for effective and secure communication between emergency services involved in contingency provision, with particular reference to when more than one major geographical area of England is involved. [86600] Mr. Alexander: The PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) is the principal common medium for communication between emergency services throughout the UK. Encrypted telephone instruments are available, for use with the PSTN, to provide secure communication.

Secondary information