§ Lord Gainfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
If they are satisfied with the availability and response of Search and Rescue Services in the Shetland in the recent incidents involving klondykers, in particular in "Lunohods 1" on 9 November and "Borodinskye Poyle" on 15 November.
The Minister of State, Department of Transport (The Earl of Caithness)We are indeed satisfied with the availability and response of the Search and Rescue Services in general and in particular those in the Shetlands. In the case of the "Lunohods 1" and "Borodinskye Poyle", the magnificent and heroic efforts of the crew of the Coastguard helicopter and the Lerwick RNLI lifeboat are of special note, together with the invaluable support of Coastguard Response Teams, the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, the Offshore industry, including a Norwegian in-field helicopter, and the Merchant vessels. All of these services, professionally and expertly co-ordinated by the Shetland Coastguard Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre, worked together to save the lives of all 60 crew of the "Lunohods 1" and all 74 crew of the "Borodinskye Poyle".
Without doubt, these incidents were conducted in the best traditions of the United Kingdom Search and Rescue Services and deserving of the highest praise for all those involved.