§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of any increased danger to the public as a result of the reduction in manpower and equipment of the auxiliary coastguard service;
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Falmouth coastguard region—Hope cove and Prawle sectors incidents by station 1986–1990 Coastguard station Yealm Bigbury Hope cove Prawle Dartmouth Totals (Hope cove) (Hope cove) (Hope cove) (Prawle) (Prawle) 1986 A 3 — 9 8 3 23 B 2 1 6 1 1 11 C 5 4 14 10 19 43 D 1 — 6 3 — 10 1987 A 1 1 4 6 2 14 B — — 2 2 — 4 C 4 5 8 13 17 47 D 2 1 10 1 — 14 1988 A 2 2 5 9 3 21 B 1 1 3 — 2 7 C 5 4 6 11 4 30 D 2 4 11 1 — 18 1989 A 5 19 4 5 2 35 B 1 3 2 3 2 11 C 2 3 6 2 1 14 D 1 — 11 1 — 13 (2) what changes are planned by way of manpower and equipment for Prawle Point coastguard centre.
(3) what changes are planned by way of manpower and equipment for Dartmouth auxiliary coastguard station;
(4) if he will initiate a study into the implications of savings in the coastguard auxiliary service for risk of injury or death to those in difficulties on the seas or along the south Devon cliff coastline;
(5) what changes are planned by way of manpower and equipment for Yealm auxiliary coastguard station;
(6) what changes are planned by way of manpower or equipment for Bigbury auxiliary coastguard station;
(7) what changes are planned by way of manpower a nd equipment for Hope Cove auxiliary coastguard centre;
(8) if he will make a statement about future manning levels at the Hope Cove auxiliary sector office;
(9) what plans he has over the next five years to alter levels of manpower and equipment along the coastline of South Hams.
§ Mr. McLoughlinRecommendations relating to changes to Her Majesty's coastguard's manpower and equipment were made by an internal review of the Coastguard Sector Organisation and Auxiliary Service. Local coastguard senior management is holding discussions with local interests and staff about the implications of these recommendations in each region. No decisions will be taken on the review's recommendations until the implications have been fully assessed, and full account has been taken of local circumstances and conditions.
§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the incidents in the Hope cove and Prawle point sectors for each of the last five years which have involved the search and rescue teams of the auxiliary coastguards of Brixham district.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThe number of actual and potential search and rescue incidents attended by auxiliary coastguards at the five stations in Hope cove and Prawle point sectors for the years 1986–1990 are as follows:
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Coastguard station Yealm Bigbury Hope cove Prawle Dartmouth Totals (Hope cove) (Hope cove) (Hope cove) (Prawle) (Prawle) 1990 A 1 3 7 6 10 27 B 1 3 6 2 2 14 C 3 3 6 — 1 13 D — 1 4 — — 5 Five year total 42 58 130 84 60 374 Incident Legends: A: Investigation/Coordination. B: Cliff rescues. C: Coastal searches. D: Other rescues.
§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what was the remit given to the chief coastguard to review coastguard sector organisation and coastguard auxiliary service; and by whom this review was initiated.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThe review of the Coastguard Sector Organisation and Auxiliary Service was an internal review initiated by the previous chief coastguard as part of the marine directorate's programme of reviews of administration and operations. Its terms of reference were
To examine the nature of HM Coastguard's commitments on the coastline, reporting on the adequacy and value for money of the present arrangements; and proposing changes if necessary.
§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what changes are planned by way of manpower and equipment for Brixham district controller's office of the coastguard.
§ Mr. McLoughlinNo changes are contemplated in the manning or equipping of the district controller Brixham's district office.
§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the use of the GP boat attached to the Hope Cove auxiliary coastguard sector office in the last two years.
§ Mr. McLoughlinDuring 1989 and 1990 the Hope Cove GP boat was launched on patrol every weekend and public holiday during the summer season, over 70 times in all. Although coastguard boats are not declared rescue facilities, during patrols 10 rescues were carried out of persons found to be in trouble. The boat was also launched:
- five times to carry out rescues
- 15 times on exercise and training
- 20 times to provide offshore coordination of incidents and to assist with coastal searches
- 20 times when the number of sport divers active off Hope Cove justified a Coastguard presence afloat.
§ Mr. SteenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration underlay his decision to accept the review of coastguards with regard to the future of the Coastguard Sector Organisation and Coastguard Auxiliary Service in South Hams.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThe review of the Coastguard Sector Organisation and Auxiliary Service was accepted as a consultative document not a statement of intent. The review proposes a framework for the future which offers opportunities to improve the availability, readiness, and training of the auxiliary and sector organisation to meet current requirements.