§ Q5. Mr. Pardoeasked the Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the co-ordination between the Departments responsible for search and rescue matters; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. There is close and continuing consultation between all Departments concerned with search and rescue matters.
§ Mr. PardoeIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that already this afternoon the House has heard that the Ministry of Defence is not prepared to accept responsibility for maintaining a military search and rescue helicopter service, other than for strictly military purposes? Is he also aware that some time ago the Board of Trade recommended in a report that civilian funds should be made available for such a service where military purposes no longer exist? Could he not bring these two Departments together to ensure that where military purposes no longer exist, civilian funds will be made available?
§ The Prime MinisterAs I have said, there is close consultation between Departments on this matter, and it is something of which I have had personal experience. The position is that where the Ministry of Defence is providing a military service because it is justified by military requirements, it provides at the same time a civilian service which is invaluable to the people in that area. When the Ministry of Defence needs to reduce the military service because it is not justified on a military basis, the Department of Trade and Industry considers the matter and, as in the case of Manston and Aberdeen, has accepted responsibility. I understand that the change at Chivenor does not take place until 1973, so that there is time between now and the removal of the Royal Air Force helicopters properly to consider special requirements and to make the necessary arrangements.
§ Rear-Admiral Morgan-GilesWill the Prime Minister, both in his official capacity and as a yachtsman, make sure that the Royal National Lifeboat Institution as an independent body is brought 1533 into all departmental discussions concerning search and rescue operations at sea?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir, and that is already the practice. It is not only the R.N.L.I. that is involved, but also Trinity House and the coastguards.
§ Mr. ThorpeIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Under-Secretary of State for Trade and Industry gave a most courteous and sympathetic hearing to a deputation which I led on Monday to raise this matter? Is he also aware of the civilian experiment at Manston, and will he bear in mind that at present air-sea rescue by helicopter depends upon whether one has the good fortune to have a Service station in the area? Since many of these stations are under review and closure plans have been announced for R.A.F. Chivenor, does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that there is a strong case for an interdepartmental or independent inquiry to see what civilian organisation could be set up to deal with that sort of situation?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. As I have said, in the two major cases to which I have referred, Manston and Aberdeen, where the R.A.F. service has been withdrawn, a civilian service has been arranged. I am prepared to examine whether we now need some broader-based permanent civilian organisation which can then gradually expand to take over the responsibilities which are being relinquished by the Royal Air Force. This does not alter the fact that the Department of Trade and Industry is giving urgent consideration to cases of which it is aware such as Chivenor.