§ Mr. Rees-Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Defence if a decision has now been reached about the future of the Royal Air Force search and rescue helicopter detachment at Manston; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ReynoldsYes. It has now been decided to withdraw the detachment on 31st March. The aircraft and their crews are urgently needed to provide search and rescue facilities at R.A.F. station, El Adem, in Libya, which is now being used more intensively for purposes of operational training.
I have given thorough and sympathetic consideration to the representations made by local authorities on the Kent and Sussex Coasts and other bodies about the value of the services provided by this unit, particularly in the rescue of yachtsmen and holiday-makers who get into difficulties.
As has been explained previously, however, in answers to questions in the House of Commons on 17th January, 1967—[Vol. 739, c. 20–21]—and in the House of Lords on 1st December, 1966—[Vol. 278, c. 796–8]—these helicopters are provided to meet Service requirements, though where they exist for such purposes, they are willingly made available as a contribution to the civilian rescue services in the area. Owing to changes over the years in the deployment of the Royal Air Force, there is no longer a Service need for a detachment 234W to be based at Manston, and the requirement at El Adem has a very much higher Service priority. No other helicopters are available.
I fully realise that the withdrawal of the detachment will come as a serious disappointment in the area which it at present serves. The area will not, however, be completely without a helicopter rescue service, since it is within range of other detachments based in East Anglia and in Sussex, though it would take a helicopter longer to arrive on the scene.