§ Mr. Youngerasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will give details of any EEC proposal to subsidise ferry services in Scotland; and what the amount of this subsidy will be.
§ Mr. Gregor MacKenzieI am not aware of any EEC proposals to subsidise ferry services although the European regional development fund continues to make substantial contributions to the improvement of transport infrastructure in the Highlands and Islands, notably by grants for ferry terminals.
§ Mr. Youngerasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if, pursuant to his answer of 1 December 1978, Official Report, c. 389, he will give the latest estimate of (a) central Government subsidy for ferries serving the Scottish island communities and (b) local authority support to these ferries;
(2) if, pursuant to his answer of 2 March 1978, Official Report, c. 380, he will give the latest figures for revenue subsidy to Scottish island shipping services to (a) the West Coast and West Isles and (b) Orkney.
§ Mr. Gregor MacKenzieEstimated central Government expenditure on revenue grants for 1979 or the 1979–80 financial year, as appropriate, is as follows:
£ West Coast and Western Isles 3,700,000 Orkney 600,000 Further assistance is given through rate support grant to expenditure—estimated by the relevant authorities at £706,000 for ferry services during 1978–79—by regional and islands councils.
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§ Mr. Youngerasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if, pursuant to his answer of 1 December 1978, Official Report, column 390, he will give an up-to-date estimate of the cost to central Government of operating the concept of the extension of the highway to ferries serving the Scottish island communities.
§ Mr. Gregor MacKenzieNo up-to-date estimate is readily available.