Carlaw: Parties must work together to ensure best outcome for Scottish

Speaking ahead of tonight's Members' Debate on Coastguard Services, Jackson Carlaw MSP, Shadow Minister for Transport, said:

"Countless lives have been saved over the years as a result of bravery and professionalism of our coastguards. For that we are all indebted and I have no doubt that there will be local members with a very direct and firsthand experience of the risks these services take and the lives they save.

"Any organisation, no matter its function, must be prepared to adapt to circumstances if it is to remain effective. In the case of the coastguard, the Liberal Democrat/Conservative Government is exploring whether the current structure may mean that the service is not as well placed to respond to the challenges faced as it might otherwise be.

"Most obviously, the lack of national coordination between the various coastguard centres can result in limited resilience and an uneven distribution of workload and, maybe critically so during busier emergency periods. The UK Government has said its hope is that by utilising the latest technologies, a more integrated and improved level of service can be delivered.

"I am certain that, like us, the Liberal Democrats will also be to the fore on this matter. The Liberal Democrat Secretary of State for Scotland, Michael Moore, will together with Danny Alexander and other Scottish Lib Dem MPs be using any influence they have to achieve a positive outcome.

"This is a consultation which seeks to evolve and modernise Scotland's coastguard services and I do note the intention to improve coastguard pay in line with any additional responsibilities placed upon them. It is surely good news for the Scots who work for the service.

"Nonetheless Scottish Conservatives accept that there are legitimate concerns and understandable fears about the consequences of plans for Scottish operations, and I would therefore urge all parties here to work together to ensure that the best possible outcome for Scotland's vital coastguard provision is achieved."

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