§ 14. Mr. Nobleasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what changes have occurred in the estimates of the capital costs of the MacBraynes scheme to serve Islay, Jura, Colonsay and Gigha since July of this year; and what is the present estimate of the capital cost of this scheme and of that proposed by Western Ferries.
§ Mr. RossRecent indications are that there will be some increase in the capital costs, but I have no reason to think that this increase will be so large as to affect my decision in favour of MacBrayne's services. I have therefore had no reason to ask Western Ferries for revised estimates of capital costs.
§ Mr. NobleDoes not the Secretary of State understand that there is no need to ask Western Ferries to revise costs? They have already ordered a boat at a price they said they could afford. When the right hon. Gentleman says that there has been some increase he should be honest with the House and tell us what it is, because my information is that it is very considerable indeed, and that it is a waste of money.
§ Mr. RossI do not consider it to be a waste of money at all, because I have had to bear in mind in respect of this decision—which was related originally to an overland scheme which was supported by the right hon. Gentleman and which was to cost very much more than the MacBrayne's scheme—the reliability and efficiency of the service, with reasonable passenger comfort. I was satisfied that this would come from MacBrayne's. I am not convinced that the same standard and assurance of service could be provided by the smaller ships and smaller terminals provided by Western Ferries. I had to take into account the possible consequences of a fragmentation of MacBrayne's services.