News Release

25th May 2004

SIRENS IN BIRMINGHAM?

Michael Fabricant has denounced as "ludicrous" the Government's "go in, stay in, tune in" advice to the public in the event of a dirty bomb attack on Britain.

He said this advice was about as helpful as the old instruction to "duck and cover" in a nuclear missile attack.

He was responding to a Commons written reply to him by Home Secretary David Blunkett which said: "In the event of an attack, unless people are under the direction of the emergency services, they should go indoors and tune into the TV or radio for further instructions. The media is the main system through which the Government and the emergency services will alert the public. The message is: 'Go in, stay in, tune in'."

Mr Fabricant commented: "If there is a release of poison gas, radio-active material or biological agents, how would we all know to 'go in, stay in, tune in'? All the sirens have been dismantled and an attack of such a type does not make a noise. There might not be a loud explosion; this is very different from the blitz"

He asked whether they were expected to listen constantly to the radio just in case such an attack occurred.

"This policy is ludicrous. Given the confusion that surrounded the flour attack in the House of Commons, surely the Home Office has learned the lesson to trust the people and give clear instructions now what to do in the event of an attack.

"I believe that some form of alarm system, easily recognisable by the public, such as the old siren system, must be re-instated as a matter of urgency in the most vulnerable cities which includes Birmingham. Perhaps even Lichfield and Burntwood.