§ Mr. Barry FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether the tender for search and rescue helicopters for the sea area Wight will include provision for supplying medical evacuation from the Isle of Wight at the request of the district health authority; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David MitchellArrangements for medical evacuation are the responsibility of the district health authority, which can let contracts for the supply of air ambulances or other means of fast transport. The Department's contract helicopter is being provided to meet the needs of maritime and aviation search and rescue arising in a wide area in the central English Channel. It will be possible for it to be made available, at the discretion of Her Majesty's Coastguard, to meet very urgent evacuation needs.