§ 41. Mr. Costainasked the Secretary of State for Air the number of civilians rescued by Royal Air Force helicopters from the English Channel last year.
§ Mr. W. J. TaylorThirteen, Sir.
§ Mr. CostainDoes my hon. Friend realise that this service is very much appreciated by coastal resorts? May we have his assurance that we shall have a similar Good Samaritan service this year?
§ Mr. TaylorThe Services are proud to give what help they can in these emergencies. There will still be a Royal Air Force detachment in Felixstowe and a Royal Naval detachment at Portland to do this work, but the primary job of Royal Air Force research and rescue helicopters is to rescue air crews, and we have to employ our rather limited resources with this fact in mind. After reconditioning the aircraft removed from this station, we shall take steps to reestablish the unit there as soon as possible.
§ Mr. de FreitasDoes not the Minister think that there is likely to be more assistance from helicopters round our coast this summer than in previous years? Surely the number of helicopters in this service is increasing?
§ Mr. TaylorYes. There are eight helicopter detachments round the coast. We have no reason to expect that the work coming on to them will be any greater than in the past, but if it is they will still be capable of fulfilling it.