To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he is satisfied with the search and rescue co-ordination provided by Her Majesty's Coastguard and if he will make a statement.

  To improve still further the high level of service provided by Her Majesty's Coastguard I am able to announce today that I have endorsed a strategy for HM Coastguard which involves a substantial investment in new technology and which will take the Service into the next century. That investment will introduce operational flexibility which will increase the safety of those who use our sea and shores, and will improve the effectiveness and efficiency of an already highly proficient Service. The key to the strategy is the introduction of digital communications technology at Coastguard rescue centres and remote radio sites to replace ageing equipment. Once the new technology is in place HMCG will be able to concentrate their operational expertise within fewer rescue co-ordination sub-centres by closing the rescue sub- centres at Oban and Pentland (Orkney) by the end of 1999, and Tyne-Tees and Liverpool by the end of 2000. Portland and Solent rescue sub-centres at present in unsuitable buildings will be brought together under the same roof by March 2002.

  By carefully planning the process we expect to be able to achieve the reduction of staff by a combination of natural wastage, early retirement and early severance. Staff and trade unions will be closely involved in the implementation.

Minute No. 13 Proposed Closure of HM Coastguard Station Liverpool District Maritime Sub Centre

  The Committee considered Report No. EP/26/97 of the Chief Emergency Planning Officer upon the matter of the Proposed Closure of HM Coastguard Station, Liverpool District Maritime Sub Centre.

  Resolved that-

(a) consideration of this matter be referred to the Policy & Resources Committee and in the meantime the Chair of this Committee together with the Opposition Spokespersons on this Committee be requested to formulate a suitable recommendation for submission to the Policy and Resources Committee expressing this Committee's concern at the proposed closure of the HM Coastguard Station; and

(b) the Chief Emergency Planning Officer be requested to invite the Chief Coastguard, Regional Controller Western Region and the District Controller (Liverpool Coastguard) to address the meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee upon the matter of the Proposed Closure of the HM Coastguard Station and if the invitations are accepted the Chief Emergency Planning Officer also invite the Chief Executives of the 5 Local District Councils to attend the meeting.

Minute 66 Proposed Closure of HM Coastguard Station-Liverpool District Maritime Sub-Centre

  The Committee considered:

  1.  Report EP/26/97 of the Chief Emergency Planning Officer concerning proposals by Her Majesty's Government to close the Liverpool Maritime Rescue Sub Centre Coastguard Centre at Crosby and the arising potential implications for emergency planning on Merseyside;

  2.  The resolution of the meeting of the Emergency Planning Committee held on 4th December 1997, upon consideration of the above Report, that:

(i) consideration of this matter be referred to the Policy and Resources Committee and in the meantime the Chair of this Committee together with the Opposition Spokespersons on this Committee be requested to formulate a suitable recommendation for submission to that Committee of the concern of this Committee at the proposed closure of the Coastguard Station;

(ii) the Chief Emergency Planning Officer be requested to invite the Chief Coastguard the Regional Controller Western Region and the District Controller (Liverpool Coastguard) to address the meeting of the Policy and Resources Committee about the proposed closure; and

(iii) If the invitations are accepted the Chief Emergency Planning Officer will also invite the Chief Executives of the five local District Councils to attend the meeting.

  3.  the resolution of a meeting of Liverpool City Council held on 26th November 1997, that this Council:

(i) is concerned and alarmed at the plan to close the purpose-built Coastguard Station on Crosby seafront; and

(ii) resolves to bring together all Merseyside Members of Parliament, Local Council and Trade Union Leaders with a view to co-ordinating a campaign to save the station; and

  4.  the resolution of a meeting of the Merseyside Leaders Co- ordinating Committee held on 5th December 1997, upon being informed of the involvement of the Fire and Civil Defence Authority and of the resolution of the City Council it be agreed that as the matter affects the whole of Merseyside, Liverpool City Council be requested to co-ordinate this matter with a view to arranging a meeting led by the Chair of the Co-ordinating Committee with the relevant Government Minister.

  5.  the response received from the Coastguard upon being informed of the concern of the Authority, indicating that they are preparing a report on the matter and that upon completion of that Report they would be pleased to accept the invitation to attend a future meeting and make a presentation about the issues involved.

  Resolved that the relevant officers at the Coastguard be invited to make a presentation to a future meeting of the Authority and the Co-ordinating Committee be advised that representatives from the District Councils will be welcome to attend such a meeting.

8 January 1998