§ 60. Mr. Onslowasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what evidence he has concerning the probable survival time of passengers and crew of an aircraft ditched in the North Sea in winter conditions and at night; and what estimate he has made of the cost of providing, at the proposed Foulness airport, air/sea rescue facilities adequate to deal with such an emergency involving a Boeing 747.
§ Mr. NobleI have no evidence resulting from such a civil aircraft accident but understand that the probable time of survival could vary between a few minutes and several days depending on the particular circumstances. The Roskill Commission's Research Team estimated that the capital cost of providing rescue facilities would be £350,000 with a recurring annual cost of about £75,000. The scale of these facilities and their estimated cost will, however, need to be revised nearer to the date of the opening of the airport.