Oral Answers to Questions

Ben Lake Excerpts

Wednesday 27th February 2019 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

Since the hon. Member for Ceredigion (Ben Lake) is conscious that he has a question on the Order Paper, he can have it.

[Ben Lake (Ceredigion) (PC)]

13. What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Transport on the future of the RNLI lifeboat in New Quay.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Nigel Adams)]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his work on this important issue. The UK Government do not anticipate that the RNLI’s decision to replace the all-weather lifeboat with the Atlantic 85 vessel will have an impact on its capability to co-ordinate search and rescue in Cardigan bay.

[Ben Lake]

I thank the Minister for his answer. He will be aware that the decision to remove the all-weather lifeboat from New Quay has caused considerable concern in Ceredigion and further afield. May I ask him to again raise this matter with the Department for Transport and press for detailed reassurances that the removal will not diminish search and rescue capabilities in Cardigan bay?

[Nigel Adams]

I am more than happy to work with the RNLI and to meet the hon. Gentleman to discuss his concerns to ensure there is proper and correct lifeboat coverage in Cardigan bay.