§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what are his plans for staff levels at the Liverpool Coastguard station; [18635]
(2) what are his plans for the future of the Oban (Scotland) Coastguard station; [18630]
(3) what are his plans for the future of the Pentland (Orkney) Coastguard station; [18632]
(4) what are his plans for the future of Tyne Tees (Tynemouth) Coastguard station; [18636]
(5) for what reason the Oban Coastguard station (Scotland) was left out from that part of the "Focus for Change" review which will exclude the station from officers with enhanced grading; [18631]
(6) if he will make a statement on the treatment of (a) Pentland (Orkney) (b) Liverpool and (c) Tyne Tees (Tynemouth) Coastguard stations under the "Focus for Change review with particular reference to the issue of officers with enhanced grading. [18633]
§ Mr. Bowis[holding answer 4 March 1997]: I refer the hon. Lady to the answer that I gave on 4 February, Official Report, column 574. The strategy for HM Coastguard is still under development and its effect on the future staffing levels of any rescue centre cannot yet be assessed. Meanwhile, under present arrangements for the implementation of "Focus for Change", 17 rescue centres will have watches headed by the new higher grade watch managers. Pentland, Tyne Tees, Liverpool and Oban will be considered at a later date.
§ Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to receive the 1995–96 annual report of the Coastguard agency; and if he will make a statement. [18560]
§ Mr. BowisI have asked the chief executive of the Coastguard agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from C. J. Harris to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 5 March 1997:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Question about The Coastguard Agency 1995–96 Annual Report.The report is with the printers and will be published shortly. Copies will then be placed in the House Library.
§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the number of(a) sector stations and (b) sector station officers in the Coastguard agency for each of the last seven years; and what are his projections for the number of sector stations in each of the next five years. [18634]
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§ Mr. Bowis[holding answer 4 March 1997]: I have asked the chief executive of the Coastguard agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from C. J. Harris to Mrs. Gwyneth Dunwoody, dated 5 March 1997:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the number of sector stations and sector officers in the Coastguard Agency for each of the last five years and projected figures for number of sector stations in the next five years.
(a) Sector Bases (b) Sector Officers 31December 1990 97 113 31December 1991 97 113 31December 1992 96 96 31December 1993 93 94 31December 1994 85 92 31December 1995 81 92 31December 1996 79 81 Projections for the number of sector bases for each of the next five years: 64.