Training was among the reasons for keeping the MCA national the committee heard Shipping Minister Mike Penning has a rejected a suggestion Maritime and Coastguard (MCA) operations in Scotland could be devolved.He told Westminster's transport committee that, like the British Army, the MCA was a national organisation and was recognised a such.
Mr Penning was answering a question from Tory MP Iain Stewart on whether parts of the MCA might be devolved.
The minister said the UK government had no plans to break up the service.
The transport committee has been holding a series of hearings as part of an inquiry into proposed changes to the service.
Mr Penning said the MCA was world-renowned as a UK-wide organisation.
He said: "This is a national emergency service and the government have not looked at, and have no intention of looking at, breaking that up under the devolution settlement.
"The coastguard is seen as a national organisation and will go forward as one."
MCA chief executive Sir Alan Massey told the inquiry that for reasons of training and uniform it was important the MCA remained a national body.
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