HC Deb 20 March 1989 vol 149 c403W
Mr. Fearn

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the implications of the amount of overtime being undertaken by Her Majesty's coastguard and the hours worked, for safety in handling emergency rescues.

Mr. Portillo

Overtime working by individuals is voluntary but is strictly controlled to ensure that performance is not impaired. The average among watchkeepers is 4.7 hours/week and among sector officers is 1.4 hours/week. There is no indication that hours worked have had any adverse effect on the safe handling of emergency rescues.