§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions in how many coastguard stations in the UK auxiliary coastguards have operated digital selective calling in the last 12 months; for what period the emergency has lasted; how many auxiliary coastguards have been trained in the last year; and where they are located. [100665]
§ Mr. HillThere have been no occasions on which Auxiliary Coastguards have operated digital selective calling in emergency situations in the last 12 months. 73426W Auxiliary coastguards have been trained in the last year and details of where they are located is summarized in the following table:
Coastguard Region Auxiliary Coastguards having received familiarisation Location West of Scotland and Northern Ireland Region 59 in total Greenock, Ardossan, Campbeltown, Tarbert and Islay North East Scotland 2 in total Kirkwall and Wick Eastern 0 — West 0 — South-East 0 — South-West 12 in total St. Marys, Isles of Scilly, Lizard, Lands End, Trevose Head
§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many training courses have been given to auxiliary coastguards in the operation of digital selective calling. [100664]
§ Mr. HillThe training of Auxiliary Coastguards to operate Digital Selective Calling is undertaken on the job as part of their annual training programme, therefore specific training courses are not necessary.
§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what funding has been made available to the Marine and Coastguard Agency for training auxiliary coastguards to operate digital selective calling in case of an emergency involving the failure of radio equipment. [100663]
§ Mr. HillTraining of Auxiliary Coastguards who may be required to operate digital selective calling, eg in the case of an emergency involving the failure of radio equipment, is provided on the job. Funding for this would be met from the overall Auxiliary Coastguard budget which was increased by 6.5 per cent. for the financial year 1999–2000.