HC Deb 08 March 1989 vol 148 cc536-7W
Miss Emma Nicholson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any proposals to correct the problem of breakthroughs on channel O which can affect radio communications for the Swansea coastguard station.

Mr. Channon

This problem has been traced to a change of frequency used by the police, and the Home Office are dealing with it by modifying the coastguard radio sites affected.

Miss Emma Nicholson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take steps to ensure that the Swansea coastguard watch is always at full strength.

Mr. Channon

The watch is kept at full strength as far as possible, though unforseen absences for sickness, accidents or other problems are from time to time inevitable. The posting of additional staff to Swansea following the recent merger has ensured that the full watch of four regular officers has been maintained on all but a very few occasions, and at no time has the combined strength of regular officers and auxiliary support fallen below four.

Miss Emma Nicholson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the number of coastguard visits to the Hartland area from the Swansea station.

Mr. Channon

All watchkeeping staff from Swansea have spent a four-day period visiting the Hartland area. Each watch has an ex member of the Hartland staff within the watch, who accompanied them on the visit.

Further visits are planned during the summer, using a helicopter from RAF Chivenor, to gain maximum benefits from such a visit.

Miss Emma Nicholson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will take measures to ensure the adequate working of the Hartland 641 telephone line to the Swansea coastguard station.

Mr. Channon

The Hartland 641 telephone number was installed when the station was closed so that local people could contact Swansea MRCC if they had general queries. British Telecom assures me that the problems with the line are being dealt with, and that the service will improve when new optical fibre cables are laid later this year.

The public have of course been advised that anyone wishing to make an emergency call to a coastguard station should always dial 999.

Miss Emma Nicholson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the movement of the Hartland tape unit to Swansea.

Mr. Channon

The unit was installed at Swansea on 6 December last to deal with additional radio and telephone lines following the closure of the Hartland station. After defects were discovered, the equipment was comprehensively overhauled on 21 February. Two further, minor faults were rectified within 24 hours, and the equipment is now fully serviceable.

Miss Emma Nicholson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the agreed local expertise required to maintain safety levels in local coastguard areas; and if he will ensure that the numbers of coastguard with Hartland coast experience in the Swansea station will meet this requirement.

Mr. Channon

All coastguards take the necessary steps to equip themselves with adequate local knowledge, wherever they work and whatever responsibilities they hold. At Swansea, one member of each watch is an ex-Hartland watchkeeper, so maintaining continuity while Swansea staff become fully acquainted with their increased area.