THE Government is refusing to give Swindon any extra money for protection against terrorism.

Swindon Council's annual meagre government grant of £71,355 will remain the same for the next year, until March 2005.

With inflation currently running at 2.4 per cent, Swindon Council could have expected at least an extra £1,700.

As well as financing plans to cope with a terrorist attack, the council's civil defence budget goes towards preparing the town for disasters, including deadly epidemics, foot and mouth disease, air or train crashes and great fires.

News of the funding freeze from Cabinet Office minister Douglas Alexander comes a week after new laws were unveiled compelling local authorities to draw up fresh emergency procedures to deal with terrorist risks.

The Civil Contingency Bill, currently going through parliament, will update emergency laws dating back 80 years.

Swindon Council will be forced to draw up fresh plans to deal with disasters, including blueprints for mass evacuation.

Swindon police will have the power to seize homes and declare a local state of emergency.

There will even be powers for the police to break up public meetings and gatherings without the need for specific permission from the Home Office or any government minister or department.

Every Swindon and Wiltshire household will receive leaflets giving instructions about action to be taken in the event of an Al-Qaeda attack.

All householders will be advised to stock up with reserve supplies of food and bottled water.

The leaflets will also advise people what to do should there be a radiation or gas scare.

Current legislation is outdated, made up of the 1920 Emergency Powers Act and the 1948 Civil Defence Act. The latter was enacted with aggression from the Soviet Union in mind.

North Swindon MP Michael Wills did not think the lack of extra funds would make any difference to the town's preparation to survive a full-blown emergency.

"We are talking about such a relatively small financial amount," he said.

The council's emergency planning officer, Sam Weller, said it was "disappointing" that no more money was being made available from the Government, but this was "a national trend".

The Civil Contingency Bill proposes to give more responsibility to local authorities, but without extra cash to help pay for the extra work.

Michael Litchfield