The decision to take search and rescue operations from the Royal Air Force and pay a Texan company, Bristow to provide the vital service from 2016 has caused concern. The company says that it expects to earn $2.5 billion over the 10 year contract, but will spend $1 billion on new AgustaWestland and Sikorsky helicopters.

As there is agreement that the RAF have done a tremendous job over the years, the question being asked is why privatise? As a Texan would say, ‘if it ain’t bro...