Sorry, my internet connection has peaked at pre-dial up speeds so I don't know if this has been posted. Extract from official blurb.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Will this mean that DfT will take full responsibility for UK SAR?
Yes. The DfT will take full responsibility for the SAR-H procurement with immediate effect and for the operational SAR helicopter service upon the retirement of the final Sea King SAR aircraft in 2016.
Did the review look at the possibility of extending the life of the Sea Kings?
Yes this was considered, however, even with such an extension, the Sea Kings would not be able to provide the long-term SAR service for the UK which SAR-H, based on a modern fleet of aircraft, will deliver.
Why change, when the existing service is doing a good job?
While we recognise that the current UK SAR helicopter providers deliver a first-class service the fact remains that the Sea Kings are reaching the end of their useful life and MCA arrangements are forecast to end in 2017; they therefore need replacing. This is an opportunity to bring together the service provided by MCA and MOD, ensuring a high standard of UK helicopter Search and Rescue is maintained well into the future.
Is SAR being privatised?
No. Control of the UK SAR service delivered by the contractor will continue to be managed by HM Government, including control of the tasking of the service carried out by the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre.
Will there be a decrease in the level of SAR service when the new service is established?
The future service will continue to meet the full UK national SAR requirement and be at least as successful as at present; providing the UK with an excellent SAR helicopter service with the ability to save lives well into the future
How will you transfer from current operations to the new service?
There will be a phased transfer to the new arrangements, with the Sea King SAR aircraft being progressively retired during 2015 and 2016 to ensure continuity of an effective UK SAR service. The contractor will then assume operations in relation to the MCA capability when their arrangements end.
Will the tasking of helicopters for each rescue be passed over to the SAR-H Contractor?
No. HM Government will retain overall control and tasking of the service.