Mr. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Transport what is the total number of annual manpower hours allocated to each sector in 1985–86, 1986–87 and 1987–88 in the Swansea region of the coastguard service; and what was the number of callouts in 1985–86 and 1986–87.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe allocation of auxiliary coastguard hours to each sector is a matter for the region, taking due account of financial budgets, the varying numbers of stations in each sector, changes in membership numbers at stations and other requirements for auxiliary assistance. Sector allocations are given in the table, together with district totals of occasions when members of auxiliary companies in Swansea region were called out to render assistance where human life was thought to be at risk.
True comparisons cannot be drawn between the annual allocations of hours by sector because of differences in coverage. Some reductions have taken place as part of a planned programme to bring resources into line with current requirements, while maintaining the overall effectiveness of the auxiliary service. Call-out figures are not readily available by financial year or by sector.