Coastguard Service

EDM number 1366 in 1993-94, proposed by Joan Walley on 21/06/1994.

That this House places on record its recognition of the life saving and rescue work carried out all year long by Her Majesty's Coastguard; notes the projected growth in incidents of 12 per cent. per annum; recognises the value of the Laver Review and regrets that the recommendations in respect of staffing and resources were never fully implemented; notes with concern the requirement by the Secretary of State for Transport to make 20 per cent. cuts 'efficiency savings' to the newly created Coastguard Agency; further notes that proposals under active consideration include the closure of seven coastguard stations and 140 job losses, one third of the service; believes that any cut to the workforce is totally at variance with the recommendations of Lord Donaldson's inquiry following the 'Braer' incident and with commitments given following the Lyme Bay tragedy last year; believes that too many cuts have already been made in the interest of public and marine safety; and calls on Her Majesty's Government to abandon its proposal for cuts of 20 per cent. and instead to provide a fully resourced coastguard service.

This motion has been signed by a total of 145 MPs.