Chamber
Plenary, 26 Mar 2003
26 Mar 2003 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
Island Transport
I thank Tavish Scott for bringing the debate to Parliament. This is one of the last debates that we will have before Parliament closes down tomorrow evening. I am sure that the problem will not be solved by this debate, but we are at least attempting to push matters in the right direction.
Rural Scotland has for many years suffered from limited transport links. Those that exist are at best expensive and at worst not affordable. Several attempts have been made over the years to address that situation, but they have had little success. We have been unable to establish an integrated transport system that has an appropriate timetable. That is an important issue. It is no use having a transport system unless people know what time a train or a ferry arrives or a bus leaves. Timetables must meet the needs and aspirations of the travelling public and all modes of transport—air, sea, rail and bus—should be geared to a common timetable.
Recently, we were visited by a delegation to promote the aims and objectives of HITRANS. The partnership has an ambitious programme and is attempting to establish more frequent inter-island and short-hop flights to many destinations on the mainland. I agree with its suggestion that that would attract more fare-paying passengers, provided that fares were sensibly priced and that flights followed an agreed timetable.
I appreciate that those proposals could take time to work through the system of various approvals, particularly licence approvals. For example, the local authorities of the Highlands and Islands, supported by all the public agencies in the Highlands, have attempted for eight years to secure a PSO on a direct route from a London hub airport into the Highlands. Despite their best efforts, that has still not been achieved. Securing such a link is critical to the continuing well-being of air transport into and from the Highlands.
Perishable freight to and from island communities is another continuing problem. Many small producers on the islands depend on getting their products to the mainland markets in the quickest time, to achieve the optimum price. That is difficult when only one or two flights operate a day at weird and wonderful times that do not suit the producer.
Reliable and affordable integrated transport is the key to the economic well-being of Scotland's island communities. Failing to deal with that will inevitably lead to a gradual down-turn in our rural economy, which will please nobody and which we do not want. Rather than having many competing air, ferry and bus links, travellers must have the maximum choice of routes and times. That would benefit island communities by reducing the costs for local businesses and, more important, by lowering produce costs. It would also make those communities and islands more accessible and affordable for tourists.
Rural Scotland has for many years suffered from limited transport links. Those that exist are at best expensive and at worst not affordable. Several attempts have been made over the years to address that situation, but they have had little success. We have been unable to establish an integrated transport system that has an appropriate timetable. That is an important issue. It is no use having a transport system unless people know what time a train or a ferry arrives or a bus leaves. Timetables must meet the needs and aspirations of the travelling public and all modes of transport—air, sea, rail and bus—should be geared to a common timetable.
Recently, we were visited by a delegation to promote the aims and objectives of HITRANS. The partnership has an ambitious programme and is attempting to establish more frequent inter-island and short-hop flights to many destinations on the mainland. I agree with its suggestion that that would attract more fare-paying passengers, provided that fares were sensibly priced and that flights followed an agreed timetable.
I appreciate that those proposals could take time to work through the system of various approvals, particularly licence approvals. For example, the local authorities of the Highlands and Islands, supported by all the public agencies in the Highlands, have attempted for eight years to secure a PSO on a direct route from a London hub airport into the Highlands. Despite their best efforts, that has still not been achieved. Securing such a link is critical to the continuing well-being of air transport into and from the Highlands.
Perishable freight to and from island communities is another continuing problem. Many small producers on the islands depend on getting their products to the mainland markets in the quickest time, to achieve the optimum price. That is difficult when only one or two flights operate a day at weird and wonderful times that do not suit the producer.
Reliable and affordable integrated transport is the key to the economic well-being of Scotland's island communities. Failing to deal with that will inevitably lead to a gradual down-turn in our rural economy, which will please nobody and which we do not want. Rather than having many competing air, ferry and bus links, travellers must have the maximum choice of routes and times. That would benefit island communities by reducing the costs for local businesses and, more important, by lowering produce costs. It would also make those communities and islands more accessible and affordable for tourists.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Mr George Reid):
SNP
The final item of business today is a members' business debate on motion S1M-4003, in the name of Tavish Scott, on island transport.
Motion debated,
That the Parliament recognises that reliable, regular and affordable air and sea transport links are vital to the social and economic well-being of the Scott...
Tavish Scott (Shetland) (LD):
LD
I have a desperate desire not to be the most expensive MSP on our annual list. Thankfully, the Daily Mail is read by few people in Shetland—
The Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development (Allan Wilson):
Lab
Or anywhere else.
Tavish Scott:
LD
Indeed. When that newspaper prints rough articles with me at the top of the list, I accept that as part of politics. However, the cost of flying to and from ...
Mrs Margaret Ewing (Moray) (SNP):
SNP
I agree with what the member says. Does he realise that one could have a fortnight on a Greek island in a self-catering apartment for the cost of travelling ...
Tavish Scott:
LD
I have had that holiday on a Greek island in self-catering accommodation—with my wife, I may add—for the cost of flying to Shetland. As Margaret Ewing said, ...
Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP):
SNP
I entirely agree with the virtuous-circle argument that Tavish Scott has advanced. Does he accept that the granting of a PSO to secure the Inverness to Londo...
Tavish Scott:
LD
That is a different issue and concerns the use of PSOs to guarantee slots. Mr Ewing and other members have made that argument, which is a fair one. My belief...
Maureen Macmillan (Highlands and Islands) (Lab):
Lab
I am an MSP for the Highlands and Islands and therefore have probably travelled the islands from Unst to Islay and Skye to Stornoway more than most. Doing so...
Mr Duncan Hamilton (Highlands and Islands) (SNP):
SNP
I congratulate Tavish Scott on securing the debate. I should also say that I agree with just about everything that he said, which is a strange, but nonethele...
Dr Winnie Ewing (Highlands and Islands) (SNP):
SNP
In my past life in the European Parliament, there was tremendous agreement among the Irish MEPs from the north and south and from all parties and people like...
Mr Hamilton:
SNP
I am grateful for that intervention.The point that comes out of that is that whether it involves working with the Republic of Ireland, Ayrshire or anywhere e...
Mr Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con):
Con
I congratulate Tavish Scott on securing the debate. I agree that the Scottish Executive should take the opportunity to provide the islands with a properly in...
Tavish Scott:
LD
Will Jamie McGrigor say which new boats the Tories brought into service during their 18 years in power?
Mr McGrigor:
Con
Which new boats?
Tavish Scott:
LD
I mean boats for the northern isles.
Mr McGrigor:
Con
All I know is that P&O Scottish Ferries provided a better service than NorthLink Orkney and Shetland Ferries Ltd does. That company has hardly been a success...
Fergus Ewing:
SNP
Will the member give way?
Mr McGrigor:
Con
No.The new ship that should be servicing Orkney is tied up at the pier in Leith beside the offices of the Scottish Executive.What does Tavish Scott mean by a...
Mr Jim Wallace (Orkney) (LD):
LD
Jamie McGrigor's speech was strong on rhetoric but light on facts. He should find out more about the subject on which he is speaking before he starts to make...
Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP):
SNP
Along with other members, I attended the presentation at Edinburgh City Chambers that HITRANS gave on its imaginative and ingenious proposals. The presentati...
John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD):
LD
I thank Tavish Scott for bringing the debate to Parliament. This is one of the last debates that we will have before Parliament closes down tomorrow evening....
George Lyon (Argyll and Bute) (LD):
LD
I, too, congratulate Tavish Scott on securing the debate, which has been constructive, apart from one speech, which was inappropriate to a members' debate. S...
The Deputy Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning (Lewis Macdonald):
Lab
I congratulate Tavish Scott on securing the debate and will reflect on the comments that have been made.The Scottish Executive is fully committed to maintain...
Fergus Ewing:
SNP
Will the minister give way?
Lewis Macdonald:
Lab
It is an early intervention, Mr Ewing.
Fergus Ewing:
SNP
Why is it that countries such as France implement PSOs without such an endless series of reviews?
Lewis Macdonald:
Lab
Far from being in the midst of an endless series of reviews, we are in the midst of a large-scale consultation on aviation strategy not only for Scotland and...