§ 3.8 p.m.
§ LORD PEDDIEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government how many incidents involving Air-Sea Rescue and Mountain Rescue Units of the Royal Air Force occured in 1964, 1965 and during 1966, and the cost involved.]
§ THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE FOR THE ROYAL AIR FORCE (LORD SHACKLETON)My Lords, the annual cost to the R.A.F. of the Search and Rescue Helicopter Organisation in the United Kingdom, together with the Mountain Rescue Teams is currently estimated to be £1 million. This figure excludes the cost of certain other R.A.F. units which are not established primarily for search and rescue tasks; for example, the Shackleton Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft. I regret that a similar figure for search and rescue units overseas is not readily available. In 1964 the R.A.F. were involved in a total of 653 search and rescue incidents at home and over seas; in 1965, 719; and up to October 31 this year, 838. The numbers of people rescued were 257 in 1964, 257 in 1965; and 352 this year, up to October 31. Approximately 85 per cent. of those rescued were civilians. The helicopter organisation, the marine craft units and the mountain rescue teams exist to meet Service requirements, and the assistance they give to the general public is generally speaking, as it were, a by product, although a very large one.
LORD PEDDLEMy Lords, may I thank my noble friend for that most illuminating reply which reflects great credit upon the R.A.F. rescue units? Many of these rescues have been conducted at great personal danger, and I should be glad to know how many, if any, awards have been granted to members of these units.
§ LORD SHACKLETONMy Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for that tribute to the gallantry, in particular, and also to the professional skill of the personnel involved in these humanitarian duties. The actual number of awards in the period is 25, which includes one George Medal, three Air Force Crosses, the D.F.C. and many other awards.
LORD PEDDLEMy Lords, may I ask my noble friend a further question dealing with the expense involved? May I ask whether any charge is made for the use of the helicopters involved in air-sea rescue?
§ LORD SHACKLETONNo, My Lords, we do not charge for carrying out any rescues where life may be in danger in the case of either civilians bathing or ships at sea. This is consistent with the long-standing maritime tradition that aid is always offered without thought of monetary reward. We make charges for evacuation cases where we fly civilians to hospital. These are charges which are met by the local authorities. Generally speaking, there is no charge either to individuals or to other bodies for such rescues.
§ LORD PEDDIEMy Lords, I thank my noble friend.
§ LORD BRECONMy Lords, could the Minister tell us what happens when mountaineers get into difficulty? Are charges made on these occasions?
§ LORD SHACKLETONNo, my Lords, I should say that both these types of operation also carry a bonus of training experience. The mountain rescue teams are composed almost wholly of volunteers with, perhaps, a senior N.C.O. as leader. Again, no charge is made. Perhaps I might add, in fairness, that the Fleet Air Arm also takes part in air-sea rescues.
§ LORD CHORLEYMy Lords, can the Minister tell us how many of these rescues are mountain rescues, as opposed 798 to others? is he aware how very good is the co-operation between the volunteer rescue teams and the Service rescue teams?
§ LORD SHACKLETONMy Lords, the figures are a little difficult to interpret. They are a comparatively small proportion. The number of people rescued this year so far by mountain rescue teams is 16. Last year the figure was 18, and the year before, 10. There is again that same camaraderie of the mountains, although some of these rescues, like others, are made necessary by the folly of individuals.