HL Deb 08 December 1969 vol 306 cc280-1

2.38 p.m.

THE EARL OF KINNOULL

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Committee set up to inquire into the Marine Search and Rescue Organisation in the United Kingdom has yet reported, and whether the Report will be published.]

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, the Committee has not yet reported, but is expected to do so by the end of this year, or soon after. When my right honourable friend the President of the Board of Trade receives the Report he will consider whether or not it is desirable to publish it.

THE EARL OF KINNOULL

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that reply, may I ask him whether he cannot go further at this stage in view of the widespread interest in this matter, particularly in summer time, and give an assurance that the Report will be published?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, I cannot give a categorical assurance that it will be published, but I can see the merit of publication and I will certainly see that the noble Earl's view is taken into account.

THE EARL OF KINNOULL

My Lords, could the noble Lord advise us whether the Committee's terms of reference included the question of the reimbursement of the Royal Air Force by the Home Office for the costs involved in civilian rescue?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, the terms of reference were quite broad. They were to look into the marine search and rescue organisation, and to make recommendations. There is nothing within those terms which precludes the Committee from making a recommendation in the sense referred to by the noble Earl.