Search and Rescue contract suspension – is not end of the line

18.06.2010  Commenting on the Government’s announcement that the £6bn contract with Soteria for the future provision of Search & Rescue – including the replacement of the 771 Squadron at RNAS Culdrose – has been suspended, Andrew George MP said that he has already spoken to Government Ministers and obtained reassurance that the Search & Rescue service itself will not be jeopardised.

The contract - which was announced by the Minister for Defence Equipment & Support, Quentin Davies MP along with the Transport Minister, Paul Clark MP on 9th February 2010 - was due to commence operating from 2012 using 2 new Sikorsky S92 helicopters.

Mr George reiterated that he had opposed the original proposal to transfer the service from the public to the private sector. He saw the short-term review as an opportunity to revisit the question.

“This is a Treasury driven initiative," Mr George said. "There is no question that the Search & Rescue service itself should be suspended and Search and Rescue ended.

“I am determined to ensure that the pivotal role of RNAS Culdrose will be retained. The question at present is whether, during a period of severe public sector budgetary constraint, the purchase of new helicopters at great expense should be delayed for a few more years and the existing Sea King airframe be refurbished and have its life further extended. There were elements of the original contract which clearly didn’t make sense from a public funding point of view – in particular that the Royal Bank of Scotland, which had been propped up with taxpayers’ money, was a key member of the Consortium and was providing its services back to the taxpayer at a commercial rate!

“Above all, the Search & Rescue Service at Culdrose must be retained and I will be holding further meetings and discussions with Ministers in the coming months to ensure that a cost efficient and sensible solution is found,” said Mr George.