Chamber
Plenary, 26 Mar 2003
26 Mar 2003 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
Island Transport
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 has certainly brought home to me how crucial air and ferry services are to the economic and social life of the islands, albeit that, because I come from Argyll, I was always aware that they were crucial.
As a reporter on the tendering of the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry services, I was deeply involved in taking evidence on reaction to the proposals from the Clyde to Stornoway. It was clear that the contract for the service would have to allow for continuing growth and enhancement to the service and that it would have to be flexible and responsive to the needs of the islanders. I do not doubt that islanders have greater expectations about what their lives should be like and that they have greater aspirations about contact with the mainland and making the journeys that other people make. They do not want to make those journeys at vast expense or to take three or four days for a round trip.
We hear horror stories—recently, there was a story about schoolchildren being left behind on Oban pier and missing a whole weekend at home—but there are also good news stories. For example, the enhancement of the Mull to Kilchoan ferry was recently announced, which will include vehicle provision during the winter months as well as during the summer. That will make a great difference to both of those communities.
I thought that Tavish Scott would say plenty about the northern isles ferry service, so I did not plan to speak about it. There are problems with it, but I am aware that there are superb new ships on the route. I hope that ferry service problems in the northern isles will soon be resolved.
However, shipping services are not enough. We would all like air services to the islands to be expanded—in particular, an expansion of air services to the Argyll islands is needed. No matter how the ferry services are reconfigured, some islands remain disadvantaged. People must travel to meetings or to dental or hospital appointments and a three-day round trip is not acceptable in this day and age. I would like there to be an air hub in Argyll, based in Oban, a Highland hub based in Inverness and an airport in Skye. If—or when—the Skye bridge tolls are abolished, Skye's transport problems will not be solved. It is quicker to travel to the Western Isles than to travel to Skye, which is surely an anomaly.
I realise that the HITRANS proposals have many hurdles to surmount, which Tavish Scott talked about at length, but I hope that the new Executive will consider seriously how the European Commission might be brought on board to grant public service obligations for a single bundle of air routes. That will not be as easy as Tavish Scott or HITRANS have made out—it was extremely difficult to secure the CalMac bundle, so it will not be easy to secure a bundle of air routes over the Highlands.
Some individual air routes are obviously profitable, such as the route to Stornoway. Operators, such as British Midland Airways Ltd, that happen to have a free plane are considering running passengers on those routes at a profit. It is not easy to say, "Right, let's bundle all the routes and put them to the European Commission and the EC will be sure to grant us a PSO." Things are not as simple as that. However, I would like us to try to make the case for that and thereby to make travel more affordable. I would like the Executive to consider seriously the proposal and to see whether it can be brought forward; it would certainly be of great benefit to the Highlands.
As a reporter on the tendering of the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry services, I was deeply involved in taking evidence on reaction to the proposals from the Clyde to Stornoway. It was clear that the contract for the service would have to allow for continuing growth and enhancement to the service and that it would have to be flexible and responsive to the needs of the islanders. I do not doubt that islanders have greater expectations about what their lives should be like and that they have greater aspirations about contact with the mainland and making the journeys that other people make. They do not want to make those journeys at vast expense or to take three or four days for a round trip.
We hear horror stories—recently, there was a story about schoolchildren being left behind on Oban pier and missing a whole weekend at home—but there are also good news stories. For example, the enhancement of the Mull to Kilchoan ferry was recently announced, which will include vehicle provision during the winter months as well as during the summer. That will make a great difference to both of those communities.
I thought that Tavish Scott would say plenty about the northern isles ferry service, so I did not plan to speak about it. There are problems with it, but I am aware that there are superb new ships on the route. I hope that ferry service problems in the northern isles will soon be resolved.
However, shipping services are not enough. We would all like air services to the islands to be expanded—in particular, an expansion of air services to the Argyll islands is needed. No matter how the ferry services are reconfigured, some islands remain disadvantaged. People must travel to meetings or to dental or hospital appointments and a three-day round trip is not acceptable in this day and age. I would like there to be an air hub in Argyll, based in Oban, a Highland hub based in Inverness and an airport in Skye. If—or when—the Skye bridge tolls are abolished, Skye's transport problems will not be solved. It is quicker to travel to the Western Isles than to travel to Skye, which is surely an anomaly.
I realise that the HITRANS proposals have many hurdles to surmount, which Tavish Scott talked about at length, but I hope that the new Executive will consider seriously how the European Commission might be brought on board to grant public service obligations for a single bundle of air routes. That will not be as easy as Tavish Scott or HITRANS have made out—it was extremely difficult to secure the CalMac bundle, so it will not be easy to secure a bundle of air routes over the Highlands.
Some individual air routes are obviously profitable, such as the route to Stornoway. Operators, such as British Midland Airways Ltd, that happen to have a free plane are considering running passengers on those routes at a profit. It is not easy to say, "Right, let's bundle all the routes and put them to the European Commission and the EC will be sure to grant us a PSO." Things are not as simple as that. However, I would like us to try to make the case for that and thereby to make travel more affordable. I would like the Executive to consider seriously the proposal and to see whether it can be brought forward; it would certainly be of great benefit to the Highlands.
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...