§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pusuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, South (Mr. Robertson) of 26 May,Official Report, column 589, on shipping services to Scottish islands, what consideration will be given in his review to the need for public sector support for private sector investment.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 14 June 1993]: The Government remain committed to continuing to support essential shipping services to the Scottish islands whether these services are provided by public or private sector operators. The shipping subsidies review will consider a range of different financing and ownership options.
§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, South (Mr. Robertson) of 26 May,Official Report, column 589, on shipping services to Scottish islands, whether his review will include bulk shipping services.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 14 June 1993]: Yes.
§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Aberdeen, South (Mr. Robertson) of 26 May,Official Report, column 589, on shipping services to Orkney and Shetland, what plans he has to extend the principle of giving additional 585W assistance to P & O Scottish Ferries Ltd. to enable net tariffs of users of the service to remain unchanged to services to islands provided by other operators.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 14 June 1993 ]: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Scotland, announced that he intended to make available a further £1.934 million in the current year to increase the amount of subsidy available for services provided by P&O to Orkney and Shetland. The additional assistance is to be provided to P&O Scottish Ferries Ltd. to enable it to maintain the present level of roll-on/roll-off services in respect of passengers and cars. I have no plans to increase further the level of support for shipping services in the current year.