ROYAL NATIONAL LIFEBOAT INSTITUTION'S 175th ANNIVERSARY

Early day motion 179, tabled 13 January 1999 by Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 121 members.

That this House congratulates the Royal National Lifeboat Institution on its 175th anniversary; notes that since 1824 no fewer than 132,000 people have been saved from certain death thanks to the bravery of volunteer lifeboat crews, and that in the past year there were over 6,000 lifeboat launches with an average of four people saved every day; pays tribute to those who have served the RNLI both at sea and on shore during the past 175 years; honours those who lost their lives while engaged on rescues; places on record the nation's appreciation of those who crew and support RNLI at its 222 lifeboat stations around the coasts of the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland; recognises that the cost of ú222,000 a day to run the lifeboat service is borne entirely by bequests and public donations; and wishes all associated with the RNLI continuing success with its mission to save lives at sea.

Signatures by party: Labour 55, Liberal Democrat 41, Conservative 12, Labour/Co-operative 6, UUP 4, Scottish National Party 2, Unknown 1.