§ Mr. Spearingasked the Minister of State for Defence what facilities are either permanently or occasionally available from the Royal Air Force for search and rescue operations for civil purposes in the south-east of England and over the North Sea and the English Channel; what facilities have been withdrawn in 181W the last five years; and what plans he has for withdrawal of existing facilities.
§ Mr. LambtonIn the south-east of the country, Royal Air Force search and rescue helicopters are currently deployed at Royal Air Force stations Coltishall and Thorney Island. In addition, a long-range maritime aircraft of No. 18 Group is always at standby for search operations at greater range.
These aircraft, though established solely for military purposes, respond whenever possible to requests from the civil authorities for assistance in civilian search and rescue operations.
In the last five years Royal Air Force search and rescue helicopters have been withdrawn from Manston to meet Service requirements elsewhere. No other changes in the south-east are immediately in prospect.