§ Mr. Bill WalkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has for shipping subsidies for sea transport services in Scotland in 1992–93; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LangSubject to parliamentary approval of the estimates, I propose to make available in 1992–93 total subsidy provision of £13.6 million, compared with £12.9 million in 1991–92. The deficit subsidy for Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd. will be £6.1 million. For services to502W Orkney and Shetland, tariff rebate subsidies of up to £5.1 million will be available for P and O and £1.2 million for Orkney and Shetland Lines. Up to £1.2 million will be available for other coastal shippers serving the Western Isles.
The total of subsidies available will increase support in real terms. This reflects the Government's continuing commitment to assisting the essential sea transport services to the Western and Northern Isles.