§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the number of coastguards at each station in Scotland and the number for each year since 1979; and if he will make a statement on the future of this service.
§ Mr. McLoughlin[holding answer 15 January 1992]: I have been asked to reply.
The answer to the hon. Member's question with regard to lists of numbers of coastguards at each station in Scotland for each year since 1979 can only be obtained at excessive cost.
650WHer Majesty's coastguard will continue to co-ordinate civil maritime search and rescue from the current 21 maritime rescue co-ordination centres and sub-centres for the foreseeable future, including seven in Scotland. Support will continue to be provided by local sector and auxiliary coastguard stations whose effectiveness and efficiency will be enhanced by the formation of 68 additional auxiliary companies at new locations around the coast, including 33 in Scotland. Numbers of pagers and portable radios are being doubled, and improvements in the remuneration, equipment and training of the auxiliary coastguard service are to be made.