§ Mr. SalmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set out by home port the coverage of tugs on the north and west coasts of Scotland(a) before and (b) since the publication of the Donaldson report on the Braer incident indicating whether it is year-round; and if he will make a statement. [17211]
§ Mr. Norris[holding answer 26 February 1996]: I have asked the chief executive of the Coastguard Agency to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from C. J. Harris to Mr. Alex Salmond, dated 27 February 1996:
The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Question about the coverage of tugs in the North and West coasts of Scotland.To ensure that the Coastguard is able to provide details of tugs available in an emergency they are maintained on a database at each Coastguard Rescue Centre. Tug availability may vary from time to time. Additionally standing arrangements exist with tug brokers to ensure that the Coastguard can obtain up to date whereabouts and availability of all tugs.The Coastguard maintain a tug during the six month winter period in the Minches. The current vessel is the SMIT LLOYD SAFE.