§ Mr. Hicksasked the Secretary of State for Trade how many full-time coastguards and auxiliaries are at present employed by the marine division of his Department; what is the cost to public funds; and what effects in respect of manpower, both coastguards and auxiliaries, and of cost would result if all the proposed changes for the reorganisation of the Coastguard Service are implemented.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisAt present 593 full-time coastguards and on 31st March 1976 8,750 auxiliaries at a cost in 1975–76 of £3.3 million. Details of reorganisation proposals are still under consideration but these 25–30 additional full-time coastguards required fall within previous manpower estimates for development of the service. Close estimates of the greater use of auxiliaries are not available but the additional cost by 1980–81 is not expected to exceed £300,000 per annum.