To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what funding is to be given to mountain rescue teams to replace existing radio equipment following the allocation of second radio frequency to 158·650 megaherz.

Assistance with equipment, including radio equipment, may be given to mountain rescue teams by police authorities, whose expenditure in this respect, provided it complies with established criteria, is eligible for police grant at the rate of 51 per cent. Where appropriate, rescue teams, desirous of moving to the new frequency, may wish to discuss their particular needs with the relevant police force in the first instance.