Mr. Edward Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for future sea transport services to Islay, Gigha, Jura and Colonsay.
§ Mr. Gordon Campbell:These islands are at present served by David MacBrayne Ltd., a fully-owned subsidiary of the Scottish Transport Group, and also (with the exception of Colonsay) by Western Ferries Ltd., a private operator. Traffic is not sufficient to sustain two competing operators and a heavy loss on MacBrayne's services is borne by the taxpayer. After careful examination of the position, I have informed Argyll County Council of my intention, subject to the approval of Parliament, to enter into an Undertaking with Western Ferries Ltd. under the Highlands and Islands Shipping Services Act, 1960 whereby I will support extension of their service to Colonsay, and to cease, following due notice, to subsidise MacBrayne's services to these islands.
It will be for MacBrayne's to consider whether or not to continue to operate services on any part of their routes to these islands. Any decision to withdraw will however be open to consideration by the Transport Users Consultative Committee for Scotland, which may put forward recommendations to me.
I have assurances from Western Ferries that the maintenance of these services will have priority in the disposition of the Company's ships. I am satisfied that the services offered by the Company will be fully adequate now for the needs of the communities concerned, and that my assurances of the Government's support will give the Company a sound basis on which to plan and develop its services for the future in the best interests of the islands. I hope that the new service to Colonsay will operate from the beginning of the summer season.