Chamber
Plenary, 26 Mar 2003
26 Mar 2003 · S1 · Plenary
Item of business
Island Transport
I, too, congratulate Tavish Scott on securing the debate, which has been constructive, apart from one speech, which was inappropriate to a members' debate. Surely even Jamie McGrigor, who occasionally appears slightly tired and befuddled, does not fail to remember the track record of the Conservative Government. I will describe two matters that he should remember.
The Conservative Government tried twice to close down the subsidised Dunoon to Gourock service and to give it to a privatised monopoly. That Government also took the ridiculous decision to give the Campbeltown to Ballycastle service to Sea Containers rather than Caledonian MacBrayne, for no better reason than the Tory ideology of the free market. That had nothing to do with the needs of the people of Campbeltown. When Jamie McGrigor starts handing out attacks, he should remember the track record of his party when it was in power.
A great hope for the Parliament when it was established was that it would address the concerns of Scotland's remote areas. That was the fundamental reason why many in the Highlands and Islands supported the Parliament's establishment. Affordable transport is the key issue that confronts most of the areas that many members in the chamber—including me—represent.
In the past three or four weeks, I have visited 10 island communities in my constituency. The first items on the agenda for discussion in those communities are the cost and frequency of ferries and the cost of air transport. My constituents could sit round a table and discuss timetables all night when it comes to the bit, because transport affects every part of their lives. The cost of transport to the islands affects the cost of every item in the shops. The ability to get off and on, the ability to attend hospital and the ability to have key public services delivered are all predicated on the cost of transport to the islands.
If our island communities are to be regenerated and if the alarming decline in the population of many of the islands—certainly those in my constituency—is to be halted, the Parliament must focus clearly on improving the accessibility of those communities, on which such regeneration hinges. That means lowering the fares and increasing the frequency of the services.
Those are the fundamental issues that confront many of my island constituents. That is why the proposals that HITRANS has made grab so many of us as an exciting way forward. The use of PSOs to lower fares, coupled with a dramatic increase in the frequency of services to a minimum of three per day, is the sort of step change that would have the full support not only of my constituents in the islands but of those in north Argyll. The HITRANS proposals would affect more than the islands. The upgrading of Oban airport to key destination status would bring huge benefits to mainland north Argyll. If we are to achieve the vision of growing Oban into a key regional centre that is able to attract new companies and civil service jobs to the area, the development of the airport is fundamental. Therefore, new investment must be made in the airport. I am delighted that Highlands and Islands Enterprise has put significant money into enabling the airport to operate with a proper air service.
The HITRANS proposals and costings are, of course, predicated on a significant increase in demand on the routes as a result of the reduction in fares and the increase in frequency. Like Tavish Scott and others, I have no doubt that that demand exists. It should be possible to validate the assumptions that are contained in the consultants' report.
Our colleagues in southern Ireland are already using PSOs and increased frequency to open up air routes to the west coast of Ireland. Therefore, I hope that the next Executive will take the report seriously as a matter of priority and that it will engage as a matter of urgency with our counterparts in southern Ireland and learn the lessons from that country's experience.
The Conservative Government tried twice to close down the subsidised Dunoon to Gourock service and to give it to a privatised monopoly. That Government also took the ridiculous decision to give the Campbeltown to Ballycastle service to Sea Containers rather than Caledonian MacBrayne, for no better reason than the Tory ideology of the free market. That had nothing to do with the needs of the people of Campbeltown. When Jamie McGrigor starts handing out attacks, he should remember the track record of his party when it was in power.
A great hope for the Parliament when it was established was that it would address the concerns of Scotland's remote areas. That was the fundamental reason why many in the Highlands and Islands supported the Parliament's establishment. Affordable transport is the key issue that confronts most of the areas that many members in the chamber—including me—represent.
In the past three or four weeks, I have visited 10 island communities in my constituency. The first items on the agenda for discussion in those communities are the cost and frequency of ferries and the cost of air transport. My constituents could sit round a table and discuss timetables all night when it comes to the bit, because transport affects every part of their lives. The cost of transport to the islands affects the cost of every item in the shops. The ability to get off and on, the ability to attend hospital and the ability to have key public services delivered are all predicated on the cost of transport to the islands.
If our island communities are to be regenerated and if the alarming decline in the population of many of the islands—certainly those in my constituency—is to be halted, the Parliament must focus clearly on improving the accessibility of those communities, on which such regeneration hinges. That means lowering the fares and increasing the frequency of the services.
Those are the fundamental issues that confront many of my island constituents. That is why the proposals that HITRANS has made grab so many of us as an exciting way forward. The use of PSOs to lower fares, coupled with a dramatic increase in the frequency of services to a minimum of three per day, is the sort of step change that would have the full support not only of my constituents in the islands but of those in north Argyll. The HITRANS proposals would affect more than the islands. The upgrading of Oban airport to key destination status would bring huge benefits to mainland north Argyll. If we are to achieve the vision of growing Oban into a key regional centre that is able to attract new companies and civil service jobs to the area, the development of the airport is fundamental. Therefore, new investment must be made in the airport. I am delighted that Highlands and Islands Enterprise has put significant money into enabling the airport to operate with a proper air service.
The HITRANS proposals and costings are, of course, predicated on a significant increase in demand on the routes as a result of the reduction in fares and the increase in frequency. Like Tavish Scott and others, I have no doubt that that demand exists. It should be possible to validate the assumptions that are contained in the consultants' report.
Our colleagues in southern Ireland are already using PSOs and increased frequency to open up air routes to the west coast of Ireland. Therefore, I hope that the next Executive will take the report seriously as a matter of priority and that it will engage as a matter of urgency with our counterparts in southern Ireland and learn the lessons from that country's experience.
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...