§ Mr. Maclennanasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether, in assessing helicopter coverage off north-west Scotland, the United Kingdom SAR committee's working group will take into account the response times to the incidents off Benbecula in October 1981 and off Lewis in December 1983.
§ Mr. RidleyThe United Kingdom SAR committee's helicopter working group is intended to consider the casualty risks arising from shipping, fishing vessels and aircraft, including light aircraft, such as those lost in Hebridean waters on 3 October 1981 and 8 December 1983. In making its recommendations, the working group will take into account all relevant factors, including changes in pattern of activity, weather, survival times and performance of SAR helicopters.