Hansard

The Deputy Presiding Officer (John Scott) Con

The next item of business is a debate on motion S4M-02087, in the name of Elaine Murray, on the withdrawal of the road equivalent tariff from commercial vehi...

Elaine Murray (Dumfriesshire) (Lab) Lab

I feel a bit like the filling in a sandwich—I apologise if some members find it rather unsavoury.The Scottish Government introduced a road equivalent tariff ...

The Minister for Housing and Transport (Keith Brown) SNP

I understand the point that Elaine Murray is making about other peoples’ points of view, but I am anxious to get to the Labour Party’s position. Is the party...

Elaine Murray Lab

Our position is stated in the motion. We want a proper socioeconomic impact assessment. Where and when in 2007 did anybody in the Labour Party say that we we...

The Minister for Housing and Transport (Keith Brown) SNP

We welcome this debate on what is, as I think Elaine Murray said, a vital issue for our island and rural communities. I am sure that everyone here recognises...

Elaine Murray Lab

Will the minister give way?

Keith Brown SNP

I want to get started—I will let the member in later on.Elaine Murray should also look at the comments of a Labour candidate in 2011 who advocated scrapping ...

Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Lab

The minister asks about the representations that Labour made, but the Government was absolutely silent on the issue during the budget process. Indeed, the bu...

Keith Brown SNP

The amount being spent on this was made clear in not only the budget, but John Swinney’s autumn statement. We also subsequently made it clear to hauliers wha...

Dr Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an lar) (SNP) SNP

I very much welcome the minister’s commitment to undertaking a proper study of the economic situation of hauliers and other companies. Will he extend that st...

Keith Brown SNP

I find it very interesting that, as seems to have emerged today, that particular rebate will not apply to hauliers. I wonder whether we will hear more about ...

Rhoda Grant Lab

Will the minister give way?

Keith Brown SNP

No. I have already taken an intervention from the member—and it was not a very good one. The additional costs to CalMac alone—Interruption.

The Deputy Presiding Officer Con

Order!

Keith Brown SNP

The additional petrol cost to CalMac alone is around £14 million. There have been cost increases, and there is no doubt that everyone is having to bear them....

Elaine Murray Lab

Does the minister not accept the contention that the reason that the savings could not be passed on in their entirety was because of things such as fuel cost...

Keith Brown SNP

I have already acknowledged some of the fixed costs that hauliers have to contend with and that increase the pressures on them. All that I would ask is wheth...

Rhoda Grant Lab

Will the minister give way?

Keith Brown SNP

The member has had a chance, and Labour will get another one when it sums up to say whether that is its position. Our clear objective since announcing the ro...

David Stewart (Highlands and Islands) (Lab) Lab

Will the minister take an intervention?

Keith Brown SNP

I am sorry, but I still have a fair bit to go and I have already taken two or three interventions. We want to alleviate the impact of removing RET from hauli...

Tavish Scott (Shetland Islands) (LD) LD

I support Elaine Murray’s motion, which is sensible and constructive, and I cannot for the life of me see why the minister is against it. When a minister has...

Mike MacKenzie (Highlands and Islands) (SNP) SNP

Will the member take an intervention?

Tavish Scott LD

No—I want to make progress.The nationalists have moved the policy forward, which is good, despite the fact that they ran the longest trial in political histo...

David Stewart Lab

Will the member take an intervention?

Tavish Scott LD

I want to finish a couple of points.I do not normally get telephone calls and representations from people in other constituencies about shipping, although I ...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Con

You must close now.

Tavish Scott LD

Last night I asked the minister to meet the local industry and the council to find an immediate solution, and I reiterate that request today.The Government n...

The Deputy Presiding Officer Con

Close and move your amendment, please, Mr Scott.

Tavish Scott LD

I am just finishing this point, Mr Scott.The debate is an opportunity for the minister to be constructive and to listen to local representations. I urge him ...