Fight is on to save Portland helicopter after Parliamentary committee urge government rethink

The Transport Select Committee has expressed concerns that consultation was not done before it was announced the life-saving service would be axed.

Portland’s helicopter faces the axe in 2017 under government plans.

In the new twist to the campaign to save the aircraft, the committee has expressed concern that those affected by the changes were not consulted and raised questions about the helicopter procurement.

The development comes after South Dorset MP Richard Drax appeared before the cross party committee at the Houses of Parliament to fight the helicopter’s case on Monday November 5.

The Transport Select Committee has written to the Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin saying it was ‘surprised and disappointed’ by the government’s failure to consult the public about closure of Portland and RAF Boulmer in Northumberland.

The committee is urging the government to consult with the public about the closures following concerns that axing the helicopter could lead to slower response times and increased fatalities in the areas affected.

Committee chairman Louise Ellman MP said: “People rightly expect that the government will listen to their views and concerns, taking them into account before major decisions are reached.

“This has not happened with the planned closure of the helicopter bases at RAF Boulmer and Portland, despite compelling arguments that these closures may cost lives.

“It is not too late for the Government to consult and, if necessary, to change their proposals before the new contract is let.”

A number of questions are also posed to the government in the letter including detailed questions about the new contract for the helicopters and procurement, the usage of the Portland helicopter and modelling of the effect on response times of closing the Portland base.

The letter asks for information about the number of times Portland helicopter and Lee-on-Solent helicopter had been tasked at the same time so that it can be gauged ‘how often under the proposed new arrangements it is likely that a helicopter from further afield will be required to attend an incident off the South Coast’.

In continues: “In addition the important role played by these helicopters in supporting other services, such as the air ambulances, does not seem to have been taken into account.”

The letter ends by urging the Secretary of State to ‘listen to the views of people affected by the proposed closures.’ The committee comprises MPs from different parties and is charged with scrutinising the Department for Transport.

EXCERPTS FROM SELECT COMMITTEE STATEMENT

Transport Committee House of Commons 7 Millbank London SW1P 3JA From Mrs Louise Ellman MP, Chair To Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP Secretary of State for Transport PR 38 Great Minister House 33 Horseferry Road London SW1P 3JA 12 November 2012 Dear Patrick, Last week we were briefed by DfT officials on the current search and rescue helicopter procurement project, as well as by Richard Drax MP and Dr Ian Mew, a consultant at Dorset County Hospital, who had written to us about the proposed closure of the SAR helicopter base at Portland.

We have published their submissions to us on this issue.

We were both surprised and disappointed to hear that the decisions to withdraw the Portland and Boulmer SAR helicopters were not the subject of prior consultation on these specific proposals. There are understandable concerns that the withdrawal of these bases will lead to slower response times and increased fatalities in the areas affected. In addition, the important role played by these helicopters in supporting other services, such as air ambulances, does not seem to have been taken into account.

In our view, the department’s argument that the overall level of service provided by SAR helicopters will improve under the new contract is not sufficient justification for setting aside normal arrangements for good governance.

People rightly expect that their views and concerns will be listened to by Government and taken into account before decisions are reached.

We understand that the final invitation to tender for the SAR helicopter contract has not yet been issued.

Before doing so, we urge you to listen to the views of people affected by the proposed closures and to publish your response to the concerns expressed.

Louise Ellman MP Chair of the Committee