Macneil warns against Coastguard cuts

Macneil warns against coastguard cuts 22/6/11

SNP Westminster Transport spokesperson Angus MacNeil MP today described Scotland’s coastguard stations as the country’s “maritime insurance policy” as he warned against cuts and closures to stations at Scottish Questions.

Angus MacNeil said: “Clyde coastguard is important to the west coast and as a West coast of Scotland MP I believe we have already suffered after losing Oban coast guard a decade or so ago, does the minister agree that we need Stornoway, Shetland, and the Clyde on the West coast as a maritime insurance policy, as the doughty fighter Anne McLaughlin is always reminding me.”

David Mundell, Minister of State, replied: “I could characterise the honourable gentleman himself as a doughty fighter for the station in Stornoway he has made very significant representation.

“Those representations have been heard and my colleagues in the department of transport will announce their conclusion after the transport select committee has delivered their report.”

Speaking after the exchange, Mr MacNeil said: “The future of coastguard services is a matter of life and death and the Tory-government must step back from cuts and closures of this emergency service.

“These stations are our maritime insurance policy and safety, and not financial savings, should be the driving force behind any review.

“These unjustifiable proposals would leave Scotland with just 25 per cent of the co-ordination centres in the UK despite accounting for 60 per cent of the sea area. In anyone's book, that spells danger.

“With ever increasing activity on Scotland's seas - through oil and gas, offshore renewables, fishing and tourism – there are real concerns over the UK Government's ability to manage the coastguard service.

“The UK is making really bad decisions for coastguard services in Scotland which raise real safety concerns. We should make better decisions in Scotland and not leave it to London.”