Written Ministerial Statement by Elliot Morley, Minister of State for Environment and Agri-Environment announcing the Government's intention to set up a Government Decontamination Service, Tuesday, 25 January 2005
The Government announced on 25 March 2004 [Official reference 25 March 2004 Column 55WS] that it was actively considering establishing a UK-wide service to provide advice and assistance in decontamination and clean up after a deliberate chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear (CBRN) incident or a major accidental release of hazardous materials. Work on the potential costs, benefits and modalities of such a service has been going on since that announcement.
As a result of its considerations, the Government now intends to set up a Government Decontamination Service (GDS), as an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). The decision is part of the cross-government work to ensure that the UK is prepared for a range of emergencies and has been developed under the CBRN Resilience Programme led by the Home Office. The Service will have three principal functions, aimed at streamlining our ability to decontaminate the built and open environment following any CBRN incident.
Firstly, it will provide advice and guidance to responsible authorities during their contingency planning for CBRN incidents, and regularly help test the arrangements that are in place. This will build on the Strategic National Guidance for the built and open environment which the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Defra (respectively) issued in 2004.
Secondly, it will rigorously assess the ability of companies in the private sector to carry out decontamination operations, and ensure that responsible authorities have access to those services if the need arises. If required, the Agency will also help co-ordinate decontamination operations.
Finally, the Service will advise central government on the national capability for the decontamination of buildings and the environment in the event of a major release of chemical, biological or radioactive materials.
The Government has in parallel been taking forward work to build on its existing capability to decontaminate buildings and the open environment. The work has included assessment of and engagement with a range of specialist contractors and the identification of appropriate technologies. This is part of the research and foundation being developed to further enhance capability and build the permanent Decontamination Service over the coming years.
CBRN resilience is devolved in Scotland. Scottish Ministers decided that the GDS should be invited to provide a service in Scotland and the Scottish Executive has been actively involved in its establishment. A similar statement is therefore to be made in the Scottish Parliament.
The Welsh Assembly Government is not responsible for CBRN resilience under the terms of the devolved settlement in Wales but has been fully consulted on the development of the GDS. The central GDS arrangements now being put into place by the UK Government will also cover Wales and the Welsh Assembly Government fully supports these arrangements.
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Page last modified:
28 June 2007
Page published: 25 January 2005