HC Deb 31 October 1989 vol 159 cc135-6W
Mrs. Ann Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many minutes elapsed between the first reporting of an incident involving a child or children in difficulties in the sea at Ilfracombe on 16 August before the coastguard(a) was dispatched to the scene and (b) arrived at the scene.

Mr. McLoughlin

The first notification to Swansea MRCC of an incident at Ilfracombe on 16 August was by 999 telephone call at 1620 local time. The auxiliary coastguard at Ilfracombe was tasked at 1624, and arrived on scene at 1641. This first notification, from two sources, was of a person "on the rocks, cut off by tide". Swansea MRCC was subsequently advised at 1635 that a person was in the water, the helicopter was tasked, and was on scene within 10 minutes.

Mrs. Ann Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement explaining the reasons for any delay on the part of the coastguard in responding to the incident at Ilfracombe on 16 August in which Mark Woodward was drowned.

Mr. McLoughlin

It is not considered that there was any delay on the part of Her Majesty's coastguard at Swansea in acting on the information received regarding this tragic incident.

Mrs. Ann Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many personnel were scheduled to be on duty at Swansea coastguard station on 16 August.

Mr. McLoughlin

There were five persons detailed to be on watch on 16 August, comprising three regular coastguard officers, and two auxiliary coastguards.

Mrs. Ann Winterton

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the normal establishment of Swansea coastguard station.

Mr. McLoughlin

Swansea coastguard has a complement of 18 watchkeeping officers and a three-man district management team.