HC Deb 13 February 1989 vol 147 c99W
57. Mr. Salmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the proposed closure of the Moray maritime rescue subcentre at Peterhead.

Mr. Portillo

My right hon. Friend announced the closure on 31 January. Both he and my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Energy are confident that the closure will not affect the coastguards' ability to handle any future incidents in the offshore oil fields, and moreover that the associated reinforcing of the Aberdeen maritime rescue co-ordination centre will in fact enhance the coastguards' capability to deal with such incidents. The closure of the Moray MRSC will take place on 30 March.