Lord Mackay of Arbrecknishasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they propose to take to provide emergency ferries for doctors, ambulances and fire-fighters to and from the smaller Scottish islands in the light of Caledonian MacBrayne being forced to withdraw these services as a result of the European Union Working Time Directive. [HL1164]
§ The Minister of State, Scottish Office (Lord Macdonald of Tradeston)The EU Working Time Directive does not apply at present in the maritime sector and therefore has no impact on Caledonian MacBrayne's emergency ferry services to the islands. It is the Merchant Shipping Regulations 1993 which affect186WA ferry operators Caledonian MacBrayne's ability to provide emergency ferry services to these islands. The regulations require ferry operators providing local passenger services, to provide crews with at least eight hours' unbroken rest in any 24-hour period. This is a safety measure designed to benefit passengers and crew alike. The effect of this is that Caledonian MacBrayne with their existing crewing complements are unable to provide emergency sailings at certain times outwith their published timetable for the transportation of doctors and medical emergency cases to and from the islands and maintain the published schedule of sailings. Responsibility for the provision of general medical services for the people on the islands rests with the Area Health Boards. The Scottish Ambulance Service NHS Trust's Helicopter Emergency Medical Service will continue to respond to emergency medical calls and urgent calls from general practitioners so as to meet the emergency and urgent medical needs of island residents at all times. In the event of a major incident occurring on the islands which necessitates the transportation of Police or Fire Service vehicles, CalMac will provide a vessel even at the possible expense of subsequent scheduled services.