§ Mr. Andrew TurnerTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was expended by the Government in the last three years prior to the introduction of devolution for Scotland on the maintenance of transport links between the Scottish mainland and her offshore islands. [7197]
§ Mrs. Liddell[holding answer 15 October 2001]: Relevant information held by the Scottish Executive is in the table. Elements of this programme expenditure relate to services of benefit to remote mainland areas. It is not practical to disaggregate the recorded expenditure in order to provide figures for support to services linking the islands and the mainland. Footnotes have been provided to give guidance on the figures supplied for each programme.
409W
£ million Programme 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 P&O Ferries/tariff Rebate Subside1 8.674 11.533 14.289 Piers and Harbours Grants2 2.901 1.434 1.613 Caledonian MacBrayne Ferries3 13.646 20.178 23.450 Lifeline Air Services4 0.210 0.346 0.365 Highlands and Islands Airports Limited5 7.180 7.000 6.179 Skye Bridge6 0.096 0.284 0.732 1 Spending subsidies scheduled passenger and accompanied car services to Orkney and Shetland. Tariff Rebate Subsidy is paid to eligible shipping operators carrying specified goods. The scheme aims to reduce the cost of imports and exports in the island and seaboard areas of the Highlands and Islands. 2 Grant payments to local authorities, CalMac and Independent Harbour Trusts schemes to support the development and upgrading of piers and harbours. 3 Deficit grant, capital grants, loans and repayments to CalMac to maintain affordable sea links to the island communities, to protect fares and levels of service. 4 Subsidy scheme supports and safeguards lifeline passenger air services between Glasgow and Campbeltown, Tiree and Barra. 5 Deficit grant, capital grant, loans and repayments to HIAL to deliver safe, affordable, efficient and cost-effective airport services at HIAL's 10 airports across the Highlands and Islands. 6 Payments under PH contract agreement with Skye Bridge Limited, and associated costs. Figures include payments following introduction of frequent user toll discount scheme from January 1998.