Portland Helicopter Rescue Operation (Hansard, 27 November 2002)

§ Mr. Collins
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the planned consolidation of the Portland sea helicopter rescue operation to Lee-on-Solent. [81654]

§ Mr. Jamieson
No decision has yet been made on the consolidation (relocation) of the Portland area helicopter to Lee-on-Solent.

§ Mr. Collins
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimates he has made regarding the changes to recovery times if the possible consolidation of the Portland sea helicopter rescue operation to Lee-on-Solent goes ahead. [81655]

§ Mr. Jamieson
A risk assessment has been made on the effect of relocating the Portland area helicopter to Lee-on-Solent which indicates that the national criteria for UK Search and Rescue helicopters will continue to be met both in terms of response and recovery times.
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§ Mr. Collins
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will allow a private company to purchase and lease back to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency the hangar for the Portland Sea helicopter rescue operation. [81656]

§ Mr. Jamieson
A range of options for the future of the hanger at Portland are being considered by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) appropriate to operational requirements for now and in the future.