§ Mr. Maclennanasked the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals his Department has received for the privatisation of the search and rescue service; when they were received; and what response he is making.
§ Mr. FreemanI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith) on 11 May 1987. Bristow's proposals were put to the Department on 26 February 1987.
§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Defence what proposals he has received from commercial companies advocating privatisation of the search and rescue services provided by the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy; and whether he is giving consideration to these proposals.
§ Mr. FreemanThe Department has received proposals from Bristow Helicopters Limited advocating the transfer of responsibility for United Kingdom search and rescue helicopter units to civil contractors. These are being given careful consideration.