Jonathan Djanogly, the Member of Parliament for the Huntingdon Constituency, yesterday, during the debate on the Civil Contingencies Bill, took the Government to task for not adequately recognising the huge input that our voluntary services contribute in the event of emergencies.
Mr Djanogly said:
"From my own experience of local voluntary organisations like St John Ambulance and the WRVS in Huntingdonshire, I know what important contributions these organisations make to our ability to assist the emergency services and give support and comfort to people caught up in disasters and emergencies. However, the fact remains that voluntary organisations' contributions are not adequately co-ordinated around the country and I was therefore happy to support my colleague's amendment that the Emergency Volunteer Reserve should be set up to ensure that we fully utilise our voluntary services."