§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence to what extent the proposals by British Telecom to replace the manned coastal wireless stations at Cullercoats and elsewhere around the United Kingdom by manned stations at Stonehaven and Portishead using remotely controlled links from Cullercoats and other sites around the coast will affect his Department from the point of (a) defence and (b) search and rescue.
§ Mr. WigginBritish Telecom has discussed its proposals with my Department, and defence interests are not expected to be adversely affected by them. Search and rescue operations are controlled by the coastguard, and the Ministry of Defence does not make any direct use of the maritime radio service in these operations.