ME. NORMAN N. DODDS, Member of Parliament for Dartford, asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation on the 8th of December, 1954, "if, in view of the rescue by a United States helicopter from the South Goodwin lightship when all other means were ineffective because of the bad weather conditions, he will give consideration to the provision by the Government of a helicopter service for the saving of life at sea." Mr. J. Boyd Carpenter replied: "Her Majesty's Government already provide a helicopter service for search and rescue at sea. The Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force have a number of helicopters stationed at various places around the coast. While these are provided in the first instance to meet Service requirements, they form an integral part of the rescue facilities available to assist any casualty at sea, and Her Majesty's Coastguard do not hesitate to call on them whenever they can help. Those of the United States Air Force also help, as they did so effectively in the present case. I am informed that the Royal Air Force are planning to increase substantially the number of their helicopters on the coast. The answer to the hon. Member's Question is, therefore, that a service such as he has in mind is already in being and is to be further extended.".