HC Deb 09 June 1993 vol 226 cc276-7W
22. Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on ferry services to the Scottish islands.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my right hon. Friend earlier today to the hon. Member for Renfrew, West and Inverclyde (Mr. Graham).

Mr. Macdonald

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what arrangements have been made to engage consultants to look at the privatisation of Caledonian MacBrayne; and if he will make a statement.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

[holding answer 7 June 1993]: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my right hon. Friend on 26 May, Official Report, column 589, to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, South (Mr. Robertson).

Mr. Chisholm

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his policy on the development of a roll-on roll-off ferry service between Scotland and northern Europe.

Mr. Stewart

The development of any service, and the choice of location of the relevant ferry port, must be a matter for the commercial judgment of the potential operator. As the hon. Member is aware from my letter to him of 8 January this year, Scottish Enterprise has commissioned consultants to estimate the financial, economic and environmental impacts of developing new east coast port facilities, in response to potential market interest. The final report of the consultants is, I understand, still awaited by Scottish Enterprise.