asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many RAF sea launches used for the search and rescue of pilots are available to the service; where they are stationed; and how often they have been used in sea rescues in each of the years since 1970.

In the United Kingdom 18 Royal Air Force marine craft can be called on in emergency for air-sea rescue operations although not established primarily for that purpose. They are based at Alness, Bridlington, Plymouth, Tenby and Holyhead. Overseas, there are 11 marine craft, based at Gibraltar, Malta, Cyprus and Gan. At each of these locations one craft is allocated specifically for air-sea rescue and the remainder can be made available in emergency.Since 1970, the number of occasions in which Royal Air Force marine craft have been involved in marine rescue operations is as follows: