§ Mr. RogersTo 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.
555WSuitably 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.