§ Mr. Bill WalkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has for shipping subsidies for sea transport services in Scotland in 1991–92; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. LangSubject to parliamentary approval of the estimates I propose to make available in 1991–92 total subsidy provision of £12.9 million compared with £11.7 million in 1990–91. The deficit subsidy for Caledonian MacBrayne will be £5.8 million. Tariff rebates subsidies of up to £5.5 million will be available for P and 0 services to Orkney and Shetland; and of £1.6 million for coastal shippers.
The total of subsidies available will maintain support in real terms. This reflects the Government's continuing commitment to assisting the essential sea transport services to the western and northern isles.