§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what grant in aid has been provided in each of the past 10 years by way of(a) the Scottish Office and (b) the European Community (i) for the maintenance of the Caledonian MacBrayne passenger ferry fleet and (ii) to provide assistance in relation to the purchase of replacement vessels.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 16 March 1993]: The operating deficit which Caledonian MacBrayne incurs in providing a network of approved services is funded by the Scottish Office by means of an annual revenue deficit grant. CalMac has not to date received central Government grant towards the cost of new vessels although the company has received assistance from the European regional development fund for this purpose. The information requested is set out in the table:
Revenue deficit grant £ million ERDF grant £ 1983–84 6.650 1984 2,280,000 1984–85 6.987 1985 850,000 1985–86 7.500 1986 425,000 1986–87 7.400 1987 6,270,500 1987–88 6.900 — — 1988–89 6.540 — — 1989–90 6.280 — — 1990–91 5.722 — — 1991–92 5.800 — — 1992–93 6.050 — —