§ 21. Mr. Corrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made in finding a system to equate the cost of passenger and freight transport to the Scottish islands with road equivalent.
§ Mr. YoungerI have not yet reached conclusions on a revised system. I confirm my commitment to increasing the financial support I give to transport serving the island communities. Revenue support for these services has increased from £4.8 million in 1979 to £7.5 million in 1980, and to £9.3 million in the current year. An additional £1.7 million will be available for 1982–83 and will be distributed on the present basis. This represents further real progress towards road equivalent tariff, and I remain committed to increasing the available resources as circumstances permit.