§ Mrs. Margaret EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list in theOfficial Report those organisations his Department has consulted in the evaluation of air/sea rescue services; and if he is yet in a position to make a statement.
§ Mr. FreemanThe study into proposals put forward by Bristow Helicopters Ltd., suggesting that the search and rescue helicopter service currently provided by the RAF and RN should be put to commercial contract, has been conducted within the Ministry of Defence. A number of external organisations have made representations to my Department, and these are being fully taken into account in our consideration, which is continuing.