§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will make a statement as to the resources available to monitor 2182KHz transmissions; [15010]
(2) how he will monitor the new arrangements for response to transmissions on the 2182KHz medium wave frequency. [15009]
§ Mr. NorrisI have asked the chief executive of the Coastguard Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from C. J. Harris to Ms Joan Walley dated 19 February 1996:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about the 2182KHz Distress Watch.In addition to the normal 24 hour watchkeeping complements at each Rescue Centre an additional Operations Room Assistant has been made available to assist in maintaining the Distress Watch at the designated 2182 stations.In accordance with standard practice, all incidents, including those involving Distress calls, are analysed by Coastguard management to confirm that procedures are timely and correct. Additionally a Medium Frequency log is maintained at each Rescue Centre containing details of Distress, Urgency and Safety Traffic.