PROVISION OF SEARCH AND RESCUE HELICOPTER SERVICES

That this House notes with concern the Government's intention to commit approximately £6 billion to a PFI contract to provide Search and Rescue (SAR) helicopter services from 2012; believes that this is a misguided priority at a time when frontline troops urgently need more helicopter capacity; further notes that new helicopters may have faster speeds and greater ranges but believes that they cannot have mastered the art of being in two places at once, and is therefore concerned about the reduction in total helicopter numbers; is alarmed that in consequence some SAR stations will only operate 12 hour cover instead of 24 hour cover, so endangering public safety; and urges the Government to abandon their project, think again, find a more economical alternative, and sustain 24 hour cover at all SAR stations.