AERONAUTICAL RESCUE CO-ORDINATION CENTRE, RAF KINLOSS

That this House congratulates all involved in the establishment of RAF Kinloss as the United Kingdom's Co-ordination Centre for Search and Rescue covering three million square miles of land, and a sea and air area extending to the Faroes in the north, to the median boundaries of Continental Europe to the east and south, and to the mid-Atlantic to the west; records its thanks to Plymouth and Pitreavie for past and continuing involvement in co-ordination as well as police, fire, ambulance and coastguard services and civilian mountain rescue teams for their contributions in ensuring the speedy location and recovery of survivors; notes that in 50 years 55,000 people have been rescued by RAF, Royal Navy and coastguard helicopter crews and RAF mountain rescue teams based around the UK; welcomes the new sophisticated technology; and admires the total commitment and dedication of professionals and volunteers alike who save the lives of approximately 1,500 people per annum.