§ Mr. Spellerasked the Secretary for Trade if he is satisfied with the adequacy of the cover provided after the recent reductions in Coastguard establishment along the North Devon and other Bristol Channel coastlines
§ Mr. EyreThere has been no reduction in the Coastguard establishment along these coasts in recent years: The Hartland district—which extends from Port Issac in Cornwall to Watchet in Somerset—had 16 regular officers in post on 1 April 1979 and 1980. There were 15 in post on 1 April 1981 but two are about to be added. In this period, more of the regular officers have been concentrated in the rescue co-ordination centre at Hartland, thus increasing the effectiveness of the surveillance throughout the district. In addition, the number of Coastguard auxiliary units in the district has been increased and their equipment improved.