To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will publish the evidence supporting her Department's claim that the closure of maritime rescue and co-ordination centres will not affect the safety of mariners off the West Coast of Scotland.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has assessed on a national basis the safety risks in relation to HM Coastguard's current operation and how these are mitigated by the new structure. The MCA has also assessed the impact of the new structure on HM Coastguard's capability to deliver its national service.

These assessments, as well as a location impact assessment, location rationale and supporting tables showing factors taken into consideration in the proposed choice of Coastguard Centres, have been published on the MCA's website at:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/