§ Mr. Tebbitasked the Minister of State for Defence what provision is made by his Department for the assistance or rescue of mariners and others in distress at sea around Great Britain; and with which other authorities and Government Department such provisions are coordinated.
§ Mr. BuckFor its own purposes the Ministry of Defence provides search and rescue helicopters, operated by the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force in support of the military flying programme over the sea; and a long-range maritime aircraft of the Royal Air Force is always on standby for incidents outside the range of the helicopters. These facilities, as well as any other suitable Service vessels and aircraft, are always made available for the assistance and rescue of mariners and others in distress at sea, subject only20W to overriding military requirements. My Department is in regular touch with the Department of Trade and Industry, which is responsible for the overall co-ordination of the provision of services of this type and which takes full account of the military resources in considering whether additional provision is required for civil purposes.