§ Mr. Peter DuncanTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the ferry crossings from mainland Great Britain that are in receipt of central Government financial support; and if he will give the extent of that support in each case, in each of the last three years. [33072]
§ Mr. SpellarHer Majesty's Government do not subsidise ferry crossings. The Scottish Executive subsidise lifeline ferry services in the Scottish highlands and islands for which they are accountable to the Scottish Parliament. Responsibility for expenditure on such services prior to the introduction of devolution on 1 July 1999 lay with the Secretary of State for Scotland.