§ Mr. David Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what study he has made of the possibility of establishing a ferry service between Europe and the east coast of Scotland.
§ Mr. AncramNone. It is essentially for commercial operators to identify opportunities.
§ Mr. Allan Adamsasked the Secretatry of State for Scotland if he will take steps to insure that there is no increase in ferry fares in Scotland in the current financial year.
§ Mr. AncramGenerally speaking, fares and tariffs on ferry services are commercial matters for the operators concerned to determine, taking account as necessary of the announced level of Government subsidy for their services. Revenue support for major sea transport services in the current financial year amounts to £13.6 million, which represents a significant subvention for the farepayer.