LONDON, Jan. 13 (UPI) -- Lobbying efforts by Prince William might have prevented Britain from selling its Royal Air Force search-and-rescue service to a private company, officials said.
William, 28, is a search-and-rescue pilot for the RAF and he spoke with Prime Minister David Cameron over the plan to sell off the service to a private company, The Daily Telegraph reported.
"I have been lobbied extensively about air and sea rescue, including by people from all walks of life if I can put it that way," Cameron told members of Parliament.
Cameron's discussion with the prince took place while the two men were in Zurich as part of England's 2018 World Cup bid team, the report said.
The RAF, the Royal Navy and a civilian helicopter service provide a 24-hour search-and-rescue service from 12 bases around the United Kingdom. Officials looked at privatization as a cost-cutting measure.
Under plans to take the service private, RAF, navy and coast guard crews would be replaced by pilots employed by a private company.
William is based at RAF Valley on Anglesey in north Wales. His responsibilities include supporting mountain rescue and air ambulance services.
William's efforts have been at least partly successful, the report said.
Two weeks after William and Cameron spoke in Switzerland, transport ministers postponed an announcement about the planned sell-off. However, officials said the postponement was because of a potential issue over a bid. UPI
