Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Iain McKenzie and Lord McLoughlin(11 years, 1 month ago)
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Mr Iain McKenzie (Inverclyde) (Lab)
It has been revealed that the maritime rescue co-ordination centre in Belfast has been staffed below risk level on 191 shifts this year alone. Does the Minister find that acceptable, and, if he does not, what is he doing about it?
Mr McLoughlin
It is vital that we have cover, and that if there is low availability pairing arrangements ensure that others take over that cover. We will not demur from our responsibility.
West Coast Main Line
Debate between Iain McKenzie and Lord McLoughlin(11 years, 10 months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Mr McLoughlin
I can certainly confirm that, and I am grateful to my hon. Friend for asking me the question. That is wholly the case, and the mistakes we found were mistakes made in the Department.
Mr Iain McKenzie (Inverclyde) (Lab)
We have now witnessed two procurement fiascos from this Government in quick succession. We have seen that contracts are not being monitored and we are seeing tendering processes that are clearly flawed. One would think that the Minister would be well aware of these and that if he had been alerted to them, he would not have awarded this contract. The question therefore arises: why did he award this contract when he knew that it was flawed?