COASTGUARD CLOSURE THREAT TO BE DEBATED AT HOLYROOD

Western Isles MSP Dr Alasdair Allan has been successful in securing a
debate about the proposed closure by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency
(MCA) of all but one of the present Scottish Coastguard centres. Jim
Mather, MSP Argyll & Bute has welcomed his colleague's success in this
and sees this as an opportunity for MSPs from the other Scottish parties
to make clear their opposition to this drastic example of the coalition
government's application of savage cuts in public services.

Jim Mather said:

"These proposals would see the work of five coastguard stations around
the complex Scottish coastline effectively centralised into the Aberdeen
facility with the possible support of one daylight hours centre at
either Lerwick or Stornoway -the location of this has yet to be
finalised. We have been here before and some will recall the
unsuccessful campaign to prevent the effective shutdown of coastguard
presence in Oban more than ten years ago.

This would leave two full time UK centres to cover the entire UK
coastline with several sub-centres to fill in the gaps in day time. It
must bring to question concerns about safety, the loss of local
knowledge and the sheer scale of the task left to the remaining
facilities.

This is, of course, presently a Westminster decision but it is important
that MSPs are given the opportunity to make clear their opinions and I
welcome Alasdair Allan's motion and the terms of its strong opposition
to those proposals. I sincerely hope and trust that MSPs from all
parties will join with him in registering their support and the need for
a reappraisal of this action."