§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received from island communities about the costs of fares on ferry service in West of Scotland. [22384]
§ Mr. McLeishMy right hon. Friend has received a number of representations from island communities in the West of Scotland concerning the proposal by Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd. to implement an average 5 per cent. rise in ferry fares across their network. These representations included a petition, protesting against the company's intention to levy above-average rises on the Ullapool-Stornoway route, which was presented to my right hon. Friend on 5 December 1997 by the Vice-Convenor of Western Isles Council.