§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) on what dates and at what stations in the last 12 months coastguard operational staff have initially missed distress calls over the emergency 2182 radio frequency; and if he will make a statement; [26643]
(2) pursuant to the answer of 19 February to the hon. Member for Stoke on Trent, North (Ms Walley), Official Report, column 49, for what reasons there are no designated staff from his Department listening for distress calls over the emergency 2182 radio frequency; and if he will make a statement. [26705]
§ Mr. NorrisI have asked the chief executive of the Coastguard Agency to write to the hon. Member.
155WLetter from C. J. Harris to Mr. Martin Redmond, dated 24 April 1996:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about the 2182KHz Distress Watch.PQ 1846/95/96There is no evidence of any Distress and Urgency messages being missed.PQ1855/95/96The watchkeeping complement at each Rescue Centre fulfils the requirement to monitor Channel 16, 2182KHz and the reception of 999 calls. There is no requirement to have staff designated to 2182KHz.