§ Mr. ByersTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment has been made of the consequences for safety in the east Shetland basin of the withdrawal by Shell Expo of the Bell 212 helicopter search and rescue facility from the beginning of 1997; and if he will make a statement. [34793]
§ Mr. NorrisThe helicopter referred to has been provided by Shell Expo as an additional service and is not a declared UK search and rescue facility. Search and rescue responsibility is met by the Coastguard helicopter based at Sumburgh. Arrangements exist with Norway for the provision of a SAR helicopter based in the Norwegian sector if it is available. In addition to the declared facilities, Shell has advised that two extra pilots will be on standby overnight at Sumburgh to respond to medical emergencies using its own S61 helicopter.