asked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the annual cost of running the Coastguard Service 15 years ago, 10 years ago and five years ago, respectively; and what is the current annual cost.

The annual cost of running the Coastguard Service, excluding capital expenditure, was £1·445 million in 1971–72 and £3·803 million in 1976–77. Details of running costs 10 and 15 years ago are not now available.