You may not like their politics but:
SNP Defence Spokesperson Angus Robertson MP, whose Moray constituency includes RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Kinloss, has today (Tuesday) tabled a Parliamentary motion to gather support for retaining military search and rescue services in light of recent concerns about the privatisation of the service.
Commenting Mr Robertson said:
"There is deep concern about the Labour Government's privatisation agenda in the armed forces. This latest news is unwelcome in Moray and of great concern to many.
"Recent attempts to privatise defence fire services had to be dropped so I'm unconvinced there is any merit in pursuing that agenda in yetanother vital area of provision.
"Many questions remain to beanswered about the privatisation of essential lifesaving services and hillwalkers and mountaineers will be equally concerned about these developments."
Notes:
Mr Robertson's draft motion reads:
PRIVATISATION OF SEARCH AND RESCUE SERVICES
That this House notes with concern plans by Her Majesty's Government to privately outsource search and rescue services; further notes that such a move would see RAF, Royal Navy and Coastguard helicopters replaced by civilian aircraft and crews; believes that replacing a public professional service with private companies would not meet the high standards of the military emergency teams that have saved thousands of lives over the decades; agrees with Tim Walker, director of the Glenmore Lodge national mountain training centre, that military crews would lose "essential training" if no longer involved in civilian rescues; and calls upon Her Majesty's Government to abandon these plans and preserve the well established and highly professional service we currently enjoy.