Latest Press Releases
| “TIME TO DEVOLVE MARITIME SAFETY TO SCOTLAND” - ANGUS |
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| Tuesday, 04 October 2011 09:17 |
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Moray’s MP and SNP Westminster Group Leader, Angus Robertson, has responded to reports that Scotland is without coastguard tugs despite the UK Government giving Scotland’s two emergency tugs a three month stay of execution – because the company that runs them has not been contacted - the SNP has said that now is the time for control over maritime safety to be handed back to Scotland.
The MP, whose Moray constituency has a significant Moray Firth coastline, says that with major renewable development being prepared for and the existing major fishing and oil interests it is entirely wrong to remove emergency cover. The announcement of the reprieve came from the UK Government, however the details were not passed to the company operating the tugs leaving Scotland without emergency cover. Commenting local MP Mr Robertson said: “ It is clear that the attempted axing of this vital service is nothing but a cost-cutting exercise by the coalition government. “ In parliament my SNP colleagues and I were astonished to learn that UK Ministers had not undertaken any risk assessment! “ They appear to have granted a reprieve for three months but did not actually provide the details to the company operating the tugs. This is just a fiasco with decisions made on poor evidence and no thought for the future. “ We are expecting massive investment in the Moray Firth in renewables, which will mean more structures in the Firth combined with increased shipping activity. Reducing safety cover at this time is just wrong. “ It is a frankly shocking position for the UK government to get themselves into. This, combined with the closure of the Forth and Clyde coastguard stations and the downgrading of the Aberdeen station raises serious questions about maritime safety in Scotland. “ It is clear that the maritime safety must come under Scottish control as a matter of urgency. If this was to happen we could ensure that our safety strategy was based on saving lives, not saving money.” |
