HC Deb 23 February 1970 vol 796 cc263-4W
Mr. Brian Parkyn

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will now set up an inquiry into the feasibility of a Government helicopter service to supplement the use of lifeboats by the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

Mr. Roy Mason

Service helicopters stationed at various bases in the United Kingdom are already available, subject to overriding military commitments, to assist in civil marine search and rescue. A committee set up to review the marine search and rescue organisation in this country, including air/sea rescue arrangements, is about to make its report to me. I shall consider whether any further study of helicopter arrangements is required when I receive this report.