§ 108. Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, in view of the high cost of living and especially of transport in the Western Isles, he will refer MacBrayne's pro posed increased rates for goods and passengers to the National Board for Prices and Incomes for examination.
§ Mr. Russell Johnstonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, in agreeing to fare increases by MacBrayne's, what estimate he made of the effect they will have on the cost of living in the Western Highlands.
§ Mr. RossIn reaching my decision I had regard among other things to the effect on the economy of the area, but no precise estimate of this can be given.
§ Mr. Russell Johnstonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether, before arriving at his decision to agree to the recent fare increases announced by MacBrayne's, he consulted the Highlands and Islands Development Board and the Highland Transport Board.
§ Mr. RossThe Highland Transport Board was consulted before decisions were taken and the proposals were intimated to the Highlands and Islands Development Board before they were announced.
§ Mr. Russell Johnstonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the 102W fare increases by MacBrayne's, which he approved, are higher, lower or at the same level as those the company originally proposed to him.
§ Mr. RossThe increased charges announced differed in a number of respects from the increases originally proposed by the company but are designed to produce the same additional revenue in a full year.