§ Commander Courtneyasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many rescue calls involved sorties by Royal Air Force Coastal Command aircraft during 1963; how many individuals were rescued; how many of these calls were frivolous or unnecessary; and how many claims have been made to offset the cost incurred.
§ Mr. H. FraserCoastal Command aircraft answered 753 rescue calls of all types in 1963. 162 people were rescued. None of the calls was considered frivolous but in the event some 60 required no rescue action. No claims were made against individuals but 7 claims were made to the Ministry of Aviation for assistance to civil aircraft.
In addition, 84 air ambulance flights were made, the extra cost of which was recovered from the sponsoring authorities.