GOVERNMENT CONDEMNED FOR PRIVATISATION BY STEALTH OF SEARCH AND RESCUE SERVICE

Angus MP Mike Weir has condemned the UK government for sneaking out a proposal to effectively privatise the Search and Rescue service.

Mr Weir raised the matter as a Point of Order in the Commons and pointed out that the announcement had been made by a written statement rather than by a Minister in the Commons who could be questioned on the matter.  

“The government’s proposal has the effect of announcing the privatisation of the helicopter search and rescue service. That causes a great deal of concern among coastal communities around the country. That statement should have been made on the Floor of the House to allow Members to question the Minister that policy instead of being sneaked out in a written statement. “

Speaking later Mr. Weir said that Search and Rescue services were essential to many in coastal communities, particularly those involved in fishing.

“The present Search and Rescue service has an excellent reputation, yet the present government are attempting to privitise them by stealth. There is real worry that these proposals will lead to a run down in the service and any privitised service will not have the experience of the existing crews.

"These privatisation plans are worse than had been expected. The Ministry of Defence have failed to give assurances about the involvement of military aircrew in helicopter search & rescue.

"This plan has more to do with a cost cutting agenda and off balance sheet accounting favoured by New Labour rather than the provision of life line services.

"It is extraordinary that a Labour Government is privatising air and sea rescue which not even the Tories under Margaret Thatcher pursued.