§ Mr. Prescottasked the Secretary of State for Trade what has been the total established strength of the coastguard and auxiliaries, respectively, for each year since 1970.
§ Mr. Sproat[pursuant to his reply, 28 January 1982, c.406]: For the established size of coastguard manpower I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him of 28 January 1982.
The numbers of coastguard auxiliaries in each year since 1970 were as follows:
Number 1971 6,742 1972 n/a 1973 7,653 1974 7,949 1975 8,399 1976 8,755 1977 8,800 1978 8,844 1979 8,955 1980 9,059 1981 9,055 The figures for 1971 and 1973–78 were at 31 March; the figures for 1979–81 were at 31 December. Prior to 1973 numbers were recorded only in alternate years; hence there is no record for 1972.