§ Mr. Bernad JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what change there has been in the financial terms, or repayment period, in respect of the Skye Bridge; and if he will make a statement; [7707]
(2) what has been the cost to public funds of the decision to change the tolls on the Skye Bridge; and from which vote additional moneys will be provided. [7708]
§ Mr. ChisholmThe measures to alleviate the impact of the Skye Bridge tolls on regular users, set out in my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Ross, Skye and Inverness, West on 4 July, are intended to have a neutral effect on the financial terms and the repayment period. The cost of the measures to public funds remains a matter of negotiation with the bridge operator, Skye Bridge Limited. It is proposed that any costs in the current financial year will be met from within Class XIII, Vote 2, in common with all other expenditure on Scotland's trunk road network.