§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much subsidy was paid to Caledonian MacBrayne ferry services to(a) Dunoon, (b) Rothesay and (c) Rhubodach in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the disparity of fares between Caledonian MacBrayne ferry services to Dunoon and the Island of Bute. [2854]
§ Mr. ChisholmThe Government pay subsidy to Caledonian MacBrayne on its total operating loss rather than on individual routes. Although an aggregate revenue target is set as part of that process, the setting of fares on individual routes is a matter for the commercial judgment of the company. I will ask the chairman of Caledonian MacBrayne to write to the hon. Member about fares on the Gourock-Dunoon and Wemyss Bay-Rothesay routes.
§ Mr. WallaceTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he has offered Caledonian MacBrayne an opportunity to tender for the passenger service franchise on the ferry services to Orkney and Shetland; and if he will make a statement. [2842]
§ Mr. Dewar[holding answer 11 June 1997]: Ministers are currently considering the report of Scottish Office officials on the evaluation of tenders submitted in the competitive tendering process for the Northern Isles passenger ferry services contract, and will decide in the light of the tenders received whether to conclude now a contractual agreement with one of the ferry operators who have submitted tenders or whether to re-open the tendering process.
54WHNCs and other Advanced non-postgraduate activity in FE institutions) is approximately equivalent to SVQ levels 4 and 5. The available data are set out in the table.