Sheryll Murray, MP for South East Cornwall, has welcomed the cross party report by a Commons Transport Committee which raises “serious safety concerns” about the plans for the Coastguard.
The committee's chairman, Louise Ellman, said the coastguard proposals were "seriously flawed" and there was little support for them. As the report was submitted to the House on Thursday Sheryll recalled in the House what David Cameron had said by saying that a, “willingness to listen and change policy is a sign of strength, as the Prime Minister asserted at this week’s press conference”. Also Sheryll pointed out to the House that a lack of change of direction “could be counted in lives lost.”
Sheryll has been campaigning throughout for the Government to drop its current plans which were begun under the previous Labour government and which have now been picked up by the coalition.
Sheryll said, “This plan has been around for years and has been flawed from the start. It is clear that both the public and many professionals in the field believe that this proposal is not the answer and could cost lives. I call on the Prime Minister to listen to the people and show the strength necessary to ditch these crazy plans. We can then start with a blank sheet of paper and look at all the options to take the coastguard service forward and improve it in the future.”
Ends
Notes to Editors
Submission of the report to Parliament is in Hasard here:
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm110623/debtext/110623-0002.htm#11062335000002
The Committee report is here:
http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/transport-committee/news/mca-report-substantive-/
For further information please contact Sheryll’s office on 01579 344428.