§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Prime Minister what discussions he has held about the Department of Transport's proposed efficiency savings for the Coastguard Service; and if he will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterI have had no such discussions. However, as I stated on 7 July 1994,Official Report, column 446, in response to the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire (Mr. Kirkwood), my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport has discussed with the chief executive of the Coastguard Agency the proposals he put forward in response to my right hon. Friend's target, that the Department as a whole should achieve a 20 per cent. efficiency gain. My right hon. Friend has not yet taken any decisions on these proposals.