GREENOCK Coastguard would have been saved had the Scottish Parliament been in charge of decision making, a senior local politician claimed today.

The service – which was transferred to Belfast two years ago – is currently the responsibility of Westminster, but Inverclyde Council SNP group leader Chris McEleny believes that had politicians in Scotland been in control, then the former Clyde Coastguard base in Greenock’s Eldon Street would still be open.

Mr McEleny, pictured, said: “We have now been forced into a situation where the UK government cuts are putting lives in danger — we need to devolve the responsibility for our coastguard so we get the protection we need.

“A report published by Coastguard SOS states that if the UK Government is not prepared to act, then the devolved governments of Scotland and Wales should be given the opportunity to enter into discussions with a view to taking over localised responsibilities.

“I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that if Scotland had already had the powers over coastguards then we would still have a locally-based service in Inverclyde today.” Councillor McEleny added: “My SNP colleagues at Westminster are seeking a debate in parliament to highlight the desperate situation.

“Scotland’s coastguard services are poorly served by Westminster, and it is no wonder that experts from the SOS Coastguard campaign recognise the need for responsibility in this area to be held by the Scottish Government.” Local SNP MSP Stuart McMillan also threw his weight behind the campaign, which is being supported by the Scottish Government and forms part of their submissions to the Smith Commission on new powers for Scotland.

The debate comes after a series of reports revealed the Belfast base covering the Clyde is ‘severely understaffed’ and lives are being put at risk as a result.