Mather nails Government and MoD confusions over SAR privatisation

Jim Mather, Argyll’s MSP, is concerned about the confusion that has accompanied the Ministry of Defence announcement that it is to privatise Search and Rescue (SAR) Services long based at HMS Gannet at Prestwick and which it is now known will involve a switch to Glasgow airport.

Mr Mather says: ‘Two parliamentary answers, on the same day, from different government Ministers appear to utterly contradict each other and must leave staff and service personnel totally confused about how this disastrous decision will directly affect them.

‘After clear promises that the SAR service would not be privatised and would not be based elsewhere it is in itself disgraceful that the government has gone back on both those  commitments and decided to switch services from Prestwick to Glasgow.

‘Of yet  more concern is that when questions were asked about how this would affect staff presently working at Prestwick, two wholly contradictory statements came from the MoD.

‘Defence Minister Kevin Jones said, “It is not anticipated that the decision to move future SAR operations from HMS Gannet at Prestwick to Glasgow Airport will result in any job losses.”

‘On the same day and to a separate question Defence Minister Quentin Davies said, “With the introduction of new, modern, more reliable helicopters there is likely to be a reduction in personnel at the two locations where they take over from the MoD Sea Kings (RAF Lossiemouth and RNAS Prestwick)’.

‘As my colleague, the SNP Defence spokesman at Westminster, Angus Robertson, MP, has said, ”It is ridiculous that people who are regularly risking their lives to save others should be treated with such callous disregard by the government. The MoD is clearly in disarray on this issue and the decision to privatise SAR services.” ‘

This entire proposal seems to exemplify the carelessness of a government in the last throes of power and determined to get pre-determined business through in a hurry before the coming election – come what may.

The extent to which changes to this – literally – lifeline service are being implemented without with a coherent strategy and without even internal clarity in the government, speaks sharply for its incompetence and for its empty bridge.

Alan Reid, Argyll’s Westminster MP has been active on the matter as well.

Following the Government announcement that it was privatising the Search & Rescue services, Mr Reid questioned the Under Secretary of State at the Scotland Office, Ann McKechin, in the House of Commons.

The exchange was:

• Mr. Reid: ‘Privatisation of the search and rescue services has caused great concern in my constituency, particularly given the reported reduction in the number of helicopters from 38 to 24. I hope that the Government have rigorous plans in place to monitor the effectiveness of search and rescue services once they are in the private sector and that the Minister will be able to reassure me on that today’.
• Ann McKechin: ‘I can reassure the hon. Gentleman that there will certainly be no degradation of the existing service, from which I know his constituents benefit. In particular, I should say that the new helicopters that will be introduced will have more capability and a faster response time, which I am sure will be welcomed’.

Speaking afterwards, Alan Reid said, ‘I welcome the Government’s promises about the capability and response time of the new helicopters, but the private consortium’s performance will have to be monitored carefully. Search & Rescue is obviously a vitally important service, particularly in an area like Argyll & Bute with our mountains and seas’.

The private consortium, which includes the Royal Bank of Scotland, will take over Search & Rescue in 2012.

Regardless of Ms McKechin’s assuranaces, it is hard to see that 24 helicopters, however more capable can do the work of the current 38 – a reduction of almost 37%.