Air-Sea Rescue

HC Deb 21 July 1980 vol 989 cc77-8W

Mr. Robert Atkins

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost per annum of the air-sea rescue function of the Royal Air Force.

Mr. Pattie

The cost of the RAF search and rescue organisation, which comprises the helicopter squadrons in this country and overseas, and a Nimrod aircraft on continuous standby, in 1979–1980 was estimated to be £15 million.

Mr. Robert Atkins

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of air-sea rescue operations is for civilian needs as opposed to military; and what are the most recent respective costs.

Mr. Pattie

All RN and RAF units tasked with search and rescue duties are established either for military search and rescue or other military purposes. They also provide a valuable service to the community by carrying out civilian rescues. In 1979, out of a total of 973 people rescued, 909 were civilians. The cost of these civilian rescues, calculated on the basis of the extra operating costs of each individual mission in the United Kingdom, amounted to £1,100,000. It would be misleading to draw any comparison between this and the full costs of the RAF search and rescue organisation which I have given to my hon. Friend in answer to his separate question today.