§ 21. Mr. SpellerTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will seek additional means to improve the efficiency of the coastguards and other search and rescue services along the north Devon coast and the Bristol channel.
§ Mr. McLoughlinFollowing the closure of the coastguard centre at Hartland in December 1988, a number of measures have been taken in order to ensure that there is adequate provision of resources for maritime search and rescue in the area. The facilities available to Her Majesty's coastguard as the co-ordinating authority are equal to those in other areas of the United Kingdom38W coastline. The enhanced watch levels at Swansea have been maintained since the closure of the Hartland centre. Swansea now has a greater staff level than some centres which handle a larger number of incidents per annum.