§ Mr. Charles KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is the timetable to be followed in advertising, explaining the appeal procedure, setting a deadline for receipts of objections and, where appropriate, holding a public inquiry into the proposed withdrawal of any ferry service, under the terms of the Railways Act 1993; and if he will make a statement; [16716]
(2) what is the remit of the rail users consultative committee, in respect of the right to call public inquiries into the proposed withdrawal of any Scottish ferry service, under the terms of the Railways Act 1993; and if he will make a statement. [16720]
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 28 March 1995]: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Minister for Railways and Roads on 28 March, Official Report, column 534.
§ Mr. Charles KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he had given to the rail users1280W consultative committee over its power, under the Railway Act 1993, to call public inquires into the proposed withdrawal of any ferry services; what subsequent representation he has received for the RUCC; what plans he has to hold further discussion with the RUCC over the matter; and if he will make a statement. [16717]
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 28 March 1995]: The Scottish Office wrote to Mr. Lawrence Kemp, the acting chairman of the rail users consultative committee for Scotland, on 17 February about the statutory provisions in connection with its functions in relation to ferry services and drew attention to the need for the committee to seek its own legal advice. I understand that my hon. Friend the Minister for Railways and Roads will be writing shortly to Mr. Kemp with a full statement of the Government's understanding of the position. I have received no further representations and have no plans to hold further discussions given my hon. Friend's intention to write.
§ Mr. Charles KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what assessment he has made of the contractual and financial implications that would arise, in respect of the toll-funded Skye bridge project, from the continuation of a parallel ferry service in competition with the road bridge beyond the date of the bridge's opening to traffic, and if he will make a statement; [16718]
(2) what discussions he has had with Highland regional council over the contractual and operational implications which would arise, in respect of the toll-funded Skye bridge project, from the continuation of a parallel ferry service in competition with the road bridge beyond the date of the bridge's opening to traffic; and if he will make a statement. [16719]
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamilton[holding answer 28 March 1995]: My right hon. Friend decided to proceed with the planning and construction of the bridge to Skye on the understanding that the ferry service would be withdrawn once a bridge was provided. This was fully discussed with, and accepted by, Highland regional council. Since there is no intention that the ferry service would continue, no discussions have taken place with Highland regional council on the contractual, financial or operational implications associated with the continuation of a ferry service and no assessment has been made of these matters.