Chamber
Meeting of the Parliament 31 October 2018
31 Oct 2018 · S5 · Meeting of the Parliament
Item of business
Ferry Services
I thank those on the ground who care passionately about delivering Scotland’s ferry services, those who work on board our vessels in our ports and harbours, and those who weld the sheets of our future fleet. However, I do so in the knowledge that they are working in a difficult climate under contracts that are largely outside their control, on vessels that they often did not choose or design, and in a climate in which their repeated calls for adequate investment go unnoticed and ignored.
Our criticisms will reflect the strength of feeling across Scotland and are focused squarely at the door of the Government, which, after a decade in office, has yet to deliver a sustainable, fit-for-purpose fleet and network of ferries in Scotland. The Government is presiding over an ageing fleet of vessels, no real standardisation between vessel and port, and little to no resilience within that fleet, and it is dogmatic in its pursuit of directly awarding contracts.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Christine Grahame)
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S5M-14520, in the name of Jamie Greene, on concern over the state of Scotland’s ferry services. 14:41
Jamie Greene (West Scotland) (Con)
Con
I thank those on the ground who care passionately about delivering Scotland’s ferry services, those who work on board our vessels in our ports and harbours, ...
The Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands (Paul Wheelhouse)
SNP
If Jamie Greene is making assertions about the role of the Scottish Government, does he recognise that, over the past decade—certainly since 2010—we have fac...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Mr Greene, do not fret: I will give you your time back. However, you must not get up and stand while another member is speaking, anxious though you are.
Jamie Greene
Con
Thank you, Presiding Officer. My goodness, the minister has an absolute cheek to stand up and tell members that it is somebody else’s fault that the ferry s...
The Minister for Energy, Connectivity and the Islands (Paul Wheelhouse)
SNP
The Scottish Government recognises that our ferry services must strive to match the aspirations of the communities that they serve by providing lifeline serv...
Murdo Fraser (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con)
Con
The minister has twice said to the chamber something that is manifestly untrue. He has stated twice that the Scottish Government’s budget has been reduced by...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
That was a long intervention, so I will give you the time back, minister.
Paul Wheelhouse
SNP
Thank you, Presiding Officer. I absolutely do not accept Mr Fraser’s assessment. I say with respect to Mr Fraser that to refer to financial transactions fun...
Tavish Scott (Shetland Islands) (LD)
LD
Will the minister take an intervention?
Paul Wheelhouse
SNP
I am short of time, but I will try to let Mr Scott in later. That support has delivered the introduction of new routes, service enhancements and strengthene...
Tavish Scott
LD
Will the minister give way?
Paul Wheelhouse
SNP
May I bring in Mr Scott, Presiding Officer?
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
No. You are closing, so if do you, you are—
Paul Wheelhouse
SNP
I thought that I had additional time, Presiding Officer.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
You have, but you had only six minutes and you are getting just slightly over that.
Paul Wheelhouse
SNP
Okay. I apologise to Mr Scott. Those are quite properly long-term measures. Given the scale of investment, it is important that we take an informed, strateg...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
Please conclude and move your amendment, minister.
Paul Wheelhouse
SNP
I thank you for your forbearance, Presiding Officer. I ask members to support my amendment. I move amendment S5M-14520.4, to leave out from “raises” to end ...
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
I call Colin Smyth to speak to and move amendment S5M-14520.3. You have five minutes, Mr Smyth. 14:56
Colin Smyth (South Scotland) (Lab)
Lab
It is no exaggeration to say that Scotland’s ferry network provides a lifeline for communities. In evidence to the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee, ...
John Mason (Glasgow Shettleston) (SNP)
SNP
Does Colin Smyth think that there is scope for varying fares, so that there could be a slightly higher fare at peak times, to try to even out demand?
Colin Smyth
Lab
I do not think that that would go down particularly well with the people who would be looking at the prospect of higher fares. The issue is that the RET, whi...
Paul Wheelhouse
SNP
Will Colin Smyth take an intervention?
Colin Smyth
Lab
I will, if I have time.
The Deputy Presiding Officer
SNP
You have not, really.
Colin Smyth
Lab
Overall, the Government does not seem to recognise that ferries—as all public transport does—provide a vital public service. That lack of recognition is summ...
John Finnie (Highlands and Islands) (Green)
Green
The Scottish Green Party will support the Conservative motion tonight. It is very difficult to take issue with it, although I always try to take issue with e...
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Linda Fabiani)
SNP
Excuse me, Mr Finnie. Could you pull your microphone towards you a wee bit?
John Finnie
Green
We heard where the Conservatives are really coming from when we heard their references to tendering. I certainly align myself with Colin Smyth’s comments abo...