bbc

Sunday, 29 December, 2002, 01:06 GMT

New laws allowing police to enforce "emergency cordons" in major British cities in the event of a terrorist attack are being considered by ministers.

The Cabinet Office refused to say whether they would be a response to a threat from biological or chemical weapons.

But a spokesman confirmed the plans were being looked at as part of new civil contingencies legislation.

It is likely that any such measures would be overseen by the police rather than the army.

Military units

The new laws would allow police to stop the spread of infection by throwing "health cordons" around areas hit by biological or chemical attacks, according to the Sunday Times newspaper.

Remainder

-- Anonymous, December 28, 2002