200 years of HM Coastguard

Motion Text

That this House notes and celebrates local Coastguard teams as they celebrate 200 years in service; marks the great sense of pride in HM Coastguard and how this milestone anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on what the service has achieved to date; further notes the ongoing commitment by HM Coastguard to keeping all people safe; notes the importance of the formation of HM Coastguard in the 18th century, which initially dealt with the smuggling of goods following the introduction of taxes on imports and exports; further notes its expansion to today, where it manages 310 Coastguard Rescue Teams, made up of 3,500 volunteers and can call on 10 search and rescue helicopter bases; and thanks and praises the dedicated work of HM Coastguard in the Constituency of Strangford, including stations in Donaghadee, Portaferry and across the whole of the United Kingdom.