HC Deb 07 June 1988 vol 134 cc554-5W
Mr. Rogers

To ask the Secrertary of State for Defence what search and rescue stations presently exist; what facilities are present on these stations; what equipment is used; what planes and helicopters are used; what are their numbers; how many sorties were flown in the last five years, by year; how many rescues took place; and what new facilities have been provided in the past year.

Mr. Freeman

[holding answer 26 May 1988]: Military search and rescue helicopters are currently based as follows:

Helicopters
RAF Lossiemouth 2 Sea Kings
RAF Leuchars 2 Wessex
RAF Boulmer 2 Sea Kings
RAF Leconfield 2 Wessex
RAF Coltishall 2 Sea Kings
RAF Manston 2 Wessex
RNAS Portland 2 Sea Kings
RNAS Culdrose 2 Sea Kings
RAF Chivenor 2 Wessex
RAF Brawdy 2 Sea Kings
RAF Valley 2 Wessex
HMS Gannet at Prestwick 1 Sea King

The helicopters at all these stations are fitted with standard rescue helicopter equipment to meet national and international standards and are supported by appropriate ground facilities. With regard to the ground facilities provided in the past year, I refer the hon. Member to my reply on 13 May to the hon. Member for Angus, East (Mr. Welsh) at column 262 in respect of RAF Leuchars.

In addition, one RAF Nimrod operates from RAF Kinloss or RAF St. Mawgan as appropriate in the long-range search and rescue role. It is fitted with droppable rescue equipment.

Suitably equipped RAF mountain rescue teams are based at RAF Leuchars, RAF Kinloss, RAF Valley, RAF St. Athan, RAF Stafford and RAF Linton-on-Ouse. Within the past year a new headquarters has been built for the team at RAF Stafford; a new headquarters is currently under construction at RAF Leeming for the team at RAF Linton-on-Ouse.

With regard to sorties flown and rescues achieved, I refer the hon. Member to the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1988", Vol. 2, table 6.2.