It's something of a breakthrough in Whitehall. For the first time since the start of the Cold War, British security has recognized that there is life beyond government.

The spooks at MI5 have of course been planning for decades what people should do in the event of a nuclear holocaust, and more recently, a terrorist one. But until now, the only people they have directed their advice to (very secretly and privately, of course) have been national and local government politicians and officials.

So "the people needed to run the country" have been OK. Yes indeed. As contractors were demolishing the old Department of the Environment building in Westminster, they were astonished to discover nuclear shelters with 12-metre thick reinforced concrete walls, protected by a steel door so massive all they could do was leave it there. So the Westminster and Whitehall elites would be OK - but the rest of us could fry.

Then suddenly today, MI5 has put up on its website advice for all of us about what to do in the event of a terrorist incident. At last, they seem to be admitting that "to run the country" you don't just need politicians and civil-servants, you need hard-working individuals and businesses. Indeed, the country would probably run better if the politicians and civil-servants retired to their bunkers and never came out!