Kirsty questions First Minister on support for Mountain Rescue Services

5.05.00pm GMT Wed 13th Jan 2010

Kirsty Williams Assembly Member for Brecon and Radnorshire has questioned the First Minister directly over extra support for our Mountain Rescue Services.

Hot on the heels of Roger Williams MP's campaign for an exemption on the VAT paid on the equipment bought by Mountain Rescue Services, Kirsty raised the issue with Carwyn Jones in a special debate on the recent severe weather in the Assembly on Tuesday.

Kirsty pressed the First Minister on the fact that not only do Mountain Rescue Services have to pay VAT on their equipment and receive no government support, but that they also have to pay Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) on their vehicles.

The First Minister agreed that the Mountain Rescue Services did a fantastic job, and agreed to follow up with Westminster colleagues the points that Kirsty had raised.

Kirsty said: "Throughout Wales, our Mountain Rescue Services have been answering a record number of call outs during the recent bad weather. In some parts they have even been assisting ambulance crews to get to emergencies through the snow and ice. I will continue to pressure the Welsh Government to do all they can do to help such a crucial section of our emergency services"

Notes:

Roger Williams' petition on Mountain Rescue VAT exemption can be found here:

http://www.rogerwilliams.org.uk/petitions/

Diwedd/Ends