What does Cobra do?





So why the funky name?

Cobra stands for Cabinet Office briefing room A. Cobra meetings are held in Downing Street, within Cabinet Office buildings. In most cases Cobra is convened as part of the civil contingencies committee, which plans government responses in times of emergency.

Who's on the board?

The make-up of the Cobra committee depends entirely on the nature of the issue, as the name refers to the location of the meeting, not a particular set of people.

Who is meeting today?

Downing Street officials were this morning firmly denying reports that Mr Blair would chair the meeting. It is thought more likely the fire service minister, Nick Raynsford, will lead the meeting. Junior ministers from the Ministry of Defence, the Department of Transport and the Home Office will be present, among others. While refusing to diclose the exact cast list, Downing Street denied that representatives from the UK security services would be present. Prior to the meeting, civil servants from relevant departments will also have their own separate council.

How often does Cobra meet?

It has met four times during Mr Blair's tenure. It was first called to combat the fuel strikes in November 2000, later the foot and mouth outbreak the following spring and then after the September 11 attacks. In March this year the prime minister convened it to deal with the street crime initiative.

Is this an emergency measure?

The government today denied this. It cited the fact the committee met to deal with the street crime initiative as proof it was not a panic measure. However, today's meeting is under the auspices of the civil contingencies committee, whose official remit is "to coordinate the preparation of plans for ensuring in an emergency the supplies and services essential to the life of the community; to keep these plans under regular review; to supervise their prompt and effective implementation in specific emergencies; and to report as necessary to the appropriate ministerial committee." It is clear the group only convenes to tackle extremely high-priority or potentially disruptive issues and is a sure sign the government is taking the strike very seriously indeed.

What kind of measures will it authorise?

It will coordinate the role of government agencies in responding to the strike by firefighters. As a priority it will deal with the deployment of army-staffed Green Goddess fire engines. In addition, it will consider the problems posed if, as threatened, rail workers join firemen in industrial action.