HC Deb 31 October 1989 vol 159 cc134-5W
Mr. Barry Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those coastguard stations equipped with MF radio.

Mr. McLoughlin

Every coastguard rescue centre except Belfast and Oban is fitted with an MF transceiver.

Mr. Barry Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list those coastguard stations which have not maintained a 24-hour watch on the MF frequencies together with the dates when they were off the air, in the last 12 months.

Mr. McLoughlin

There is no requirement for Her Majesty's coastguard to maintain a 24-hour watch on MF distress frequencies. The MF transceivers are provided at rescue centres for the conduct of search and rescue operations outwith VHF range. Her Majesty's coastguard contracts British Telecom International to maintain a continuous watch on the MF distress frequencies.

Mr. Barry Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to ensure that Her Majesty's coastguard do not answer routine calls from unlicensed VHF installations.

Mr. McLoughlin

The majority of VHF transmissions to Her Majesty's coastguard are of a distress or safety nature. Much congestion on VHF already exists in some areas and attempts to verify that the installation is licensed would aggravate the congestion. Routine calls should be directed via British Telecom coast radio stations which are obliged to verify the installations licence for billing purposes.