§ 43. Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he will make a statement on the termination of the commercial contract of the search and rescue helicopter service based at Manston.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisThe existing contract is due to terminate in September and, as announced on 3rd June, the Department will not be going out to tender for a further civilian service because the Ministry of Defence is to re-establish a search and rescue unit at Manston. The civilian contractor has provided an efficient service, but bearing in mind that the RAF service will be using two helicopters with a superior operational performance to the existing one I believe that the effectiveness of the unit will be enhanced.