§ Mrs. Margaret EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he has taken to recommence recruitment for professional, trained coastguards; and if he will list in theOfficial Report the number of vacancies occurring at each registered coastguard rescue centre indicating the length of time for which any vacancy has lasted.
§ Mr. Portillo[holding answer 30 January 1989]: A recruitment campaign is currently in progress. Advertisements will appear shortly both in trade magazines and selected newspapers in order to reach suitably qualified and experienced candidates. The main thrust of this campaign is to attract candidates who are prepared to fill vacancies on the mainland of Scotland and in the Scottish islands.
Particulars of vacancies as at 1 January 1989 are as follows:
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Coastguard District Number Since Shetland 3 15 November 1988 12 November 1988 4 March 1988 Pentland 1 5 October 1988 Moray 5 Watchkeeping duties cease on 30 March. Vacancies will not be filled. Tyne/Tees 2 20 June 1988 26 July 1988 Yarmouth 4 11 November 1988 15 August 1988 18 August 1988 19 September 1988 Thames 1 30 April 1988 Dover 3 7 May 1987 4 April 1988 31 July 1988 Milford Haven 1 8 February 1988 Liverpool 1 15 November 1988 Belfast 4 1 February 1988 20 February 1988 9 November 1987 25 November 1988
Coastguard District Number Since Oban 1 5 December 1988 Stornoway 2 4 March 1988 28 September 1988 Moray MRSC will close on 30 March 1989.
All other vacancies are planned to be filled by promotion, transfer or recruitment.