§ Mr. WallaceTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has on the time spent by the management consultants engaged by his Department to conduct studies to inform his shipping subsidies review in interviewing representatives of(a) P and 0 Scottish Ferries Ltd., (b) Streamline Shipping Co. Ltd. and (c) Orcargo Ltd. and (d) users of the bulk cargo shipping services to and from Orkney and Shetland.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 24 November 1994]: None. This was a matter for the consultants.
§ Mr. WallaceTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what was the cost to his Department of the consultant's inquiry into the shipping subsidy review in respect of the ferry services to northern and western isles.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 24 November 1994]: It was £137,500.
§ Mr. WallaceTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on how many occasions officials of his Department discussed the future of the shipping subsidy scheme with representatives of(a) P and 0 Scottish Ferries Ltd., (b) Streamline Shipping Co. Ltd. and (c) Orcargo Ltd. after receipt of the report on the shipping subsidies review and prior to his announcement of the proposed new subsidy arrangements on 28 October; and if he will make a statement.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 24 November 1994]: Discussions took place on a number of occasions with a P and 0 Scottish Ferries Ltd about the operation of possible new subsidy arrangements in relation to passengers and accompanied cars. Prior to the decision to announce the withdrawal of freight subsidies with effect from 1 May 1995, information was obtained from P and 0 Scottish Ferries, the Streamline Shipping Group and Orcargo Ltd.
§ Mr. WallaceTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what notice was given by his Department inviting tenders to carry out the studies needed to inform his review of shipping subsidies in respect of the ferry services to Orkney, Shetland and the Western isles.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 24 November 1994]: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my right hon. Friend on 26 May 1993, Official Report, column 587, to my hon. Friend the Member for Aberdeen, South (Mr. Robertson) where he indicated that the Scottish Office industry department would shortly be inviting tenders for the necessary studies. A number of suitable firms were subsequently invited to tender on 7 June 1993.
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§ Mr. WallaceTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is his Department's planned expenditure on shipping subsidies on routes to and from Orkney and Shetland in(a) 1994–95 and (b) 1995–96.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 24 November I994]: In relation to 1994–95 I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer given by my right hon. Friend on 23 March 1994, Official Report, Column 237, to my hon. Friend the Member for Ayr (Mr Gallie). An announcement will be made in due course in relation to 1995–96 following the conclusion of the current public expenditure round.