IN the House of Commons on the 14th of March, 1956, Mr. S. S. Awbery, M.P., for Bristol Central, asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Avia- tion how many attempts had been made by helicopter to assist ship- wrecked seamen; how many flights had been made; how many people had been saved by this means; and what steps he was taking to expand this service.

Mr, John Profumo, Joint Parlia- mentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, answer- ing, said: " Since the beginning of 1954 helicopters based in the United King- dom have assisted in the rescue of shipwrecked seamen on seven occa- sions, but the number of sorties flown is not readily ascertainable. Seventy- four seamen were rescued. Royal Navy and Royal Air Force helicopters are already well distributed round the coast, and more will be brought into service shortly." In answer to a supplementary question Mr. Profumo added: "We should remember that helicopters are at present subject to certain limita- tions; that is to say, they cannot fly during the hours of darkness or in bad visibility or when the wind force is too strong.".