§ Mr. MacleanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the cover offered by the 111W Coastguard Maritime Rescue Centre at Liverpool in the event of a major emergency occurring off the Cumbrian Coast. [52224]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonContingency arrangements to deal with major emergencies which affect persons and/or the environment have been in place for many years, around the UK coastline.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), through its Coastguard Co-ordination Centres, liaises very closely with the other Emergency Services, Local Authorities and those organisations both in the private and public sector which may be affected by any major emergency.
MCA is represented on the planning committee of the Cumbria General Emergency Plan and the Cumbria Pollution Plan which dovetail into the National Contingency Plan. The Plan is exercised regularly and there is no intention that these arrangements should change.