Following the Government’s announcement that Search & Rescue services are to be privatised, Alan Reid, Liberal Democrat MP for Argyll & Bute, 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.”

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