HC Deb 18 February 1975 vol 886 cc373-4W
Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) if he will indicate the number and status of persons in his Department concerned with the review of the air-sea rescue services, indicating their current departmental responsibilities;

(2) whether he will appoint an independent review body to examine and make recommendations on the air-sea rescue services with power to make recommendations for the reorganisation of the services;

Mr. Clinton Davis

The following officials in my Department are directly concerned:

  • 1 Under Secretary—Head of Marine Division and Chairman of the Search and Rescue Committee.
  • 1 Assistant Secretary in Marine Division.
  • 1 Chief Inspector, Her Majesty's Coastguard.
  • 1 Principal and 1 Higher Executive Officer in Marine Division.

A thorough review of the search and rescue services has recently been undertaken by a group comprising these officials and representatives of the Ministry of Defence—including the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force—the Royal National Life-Boat Institution, the coast radio stations of the Post Office, and the

and beneficial effect on marine safety. I will be writing to my hon. Friend shortly with further information about these matters.