ISLANDS MP RAISES SEARCH AND RESCUE CONCERNS IN COMMONS

ISLANDS MP RAISES SEARCH AND RESCUE CONCERNS IN COMMONS

Na h-Eileanan an Iar SNP MP Angus MacNeil, has today in Parliament asked the Chief Secretary to the Treasury to ensure that there is no threat to the service provided by search and rescue helicopters.

In a statement on public spending commitments, the Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander, announced that a number of projects would be suspended by the Government, amongst those would be the Search and Rescue Helicopter contract renewal to both the MOD and Ministry of Transport contracts.

Commenting Mr MacNeil said:

“Search and rescue helicopters are literally a lifeline service and I sincerely hope that this suspension will not have an operational impact on responses. The Liberal Tory coalition should not be seeking to cut costs or corners with essential services which could have the potential to put lives at risk.

“I have asked the Government for guarantees about this, despite what they may decide about contracts in longer term.”