Written question asked by Mark Francois (Conservative) on Monday, 11 December 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 13 December 2006. It was answered by Stephen Timms (Labour) on Monday, 18 December 2006 on behalf of the Treasury.

Security and Counter-terrorism

Question: (5) whether his Department’s review of security and counter-terrorism across Government is considering (a) plans for ensuring essential supplies and services in the event of an emergency and (b) policy on protective and other security measures to counter the threat of terrorism in the United Kingdom and to British interests overseas.

Answer: The CSR review of the delivery of the Government’s counter-terrorism and security strategy was announced in July 2006. The review will report to me, as Chief Secretary to the Treasury.The Treasury review is currently led by a full-time senior civil servant, supported by four other Treasury officials on a part-time basis. The team is supplemented by two secondees, one from Cabinet Office and one from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The net additional staff cost to the Treasury of this review is estimated at around £30,000.The Home Secretary led a more immediate review on behalf of the Prime Minister into the UK’s response to the threat from terrorism. I and other members of the Treasury’s review team supported that review alongside other Ministers and officials from the relevant departments, agencies and police service.Protective and security measures and preparation for resilience are a core part of the Government’s counter-terrorism strategy, and as such are included within the policy and delivery areas that have been reviewed.

Secondary information