§ 70 and 71. Mr. N. McLeanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what advice le has received from the Highlands and Islands Advisory Panel about Messrs. MacBraynes' proposals for the reorganisation of their sea services as they affect Skye and Raasay;
(2) whether he is aware of the adverse effect which MacBraynes' proposals for the reorganisation of their sea service may have upon the life of Skye and Raasay about which the hon. Member for Inverness has written to him; whether he will take this into account in making his decision; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MaclayAt their meeting on 23rd December the Highlands Panel recommended that the summer sea service to Raasay and Portree should be retained so long as there was a real demand for it; and that a ferry service for Raasay should not be brought into operation instead until it could be an all-weather ferry service. Since then further consideration has been given by Messrs. MacBraynes to various ways of serving Raasay and Skye, and these have been communicated to the Panel. Representatives of the Panel are visiting Raasay and Skye later this week to discuss what solution will best meet the Islands' needs. In considering the Panel's further recommendations I shall, of course, take into account the various representations made to me on this subject by my hon. Friend and by others.