Chamber
Plenary, 10 Sep 2008
10 Sep 2008 · S3 · Plenary
Item of business
Ferry Services
I will meet Rob Gibson halfway. I was not going to count my experience as a small boy when I travelled free of charge back and forth from Partick to Govan on the Govan ferry.
I do not need to remind any member—it is in the report for them to see—that we took evidence from Strathclyde partnership for transport on the importance of an urban ferry service that is still extant on the Clyde and the upper Clyde—the Yoker to Renfrew ferry. I have spent many a happy time on the "Renfrew Rose" and the "Yoker Swan".
In another incarnation, part of my business was visiting all the ferry services on the islands of Argyll. That said, I would be the first to admit that taking part in the committee inquiry, particularly making the field trips and visits during which we met people and gathered evidence in a less formal but more operational setting, was instructive.
Safe, reliable ferry services that are affordable at the point of use are essential to maintaining and developing the economic and social fabric of all of Scotland's islands and some of its peninsulas. The committee's inquiry has produced recommendations that are evidence based, reasonable, measured, achievable and incremental. The last point is important, given that, in addition to including recommendations on addressing current issues for Scotland's ferry users and operators, the report points to ferry users' aspirations for services and the standard that should apply a generation from now.
The Scottish Government has responded to the committee's recommendations for early operational improvements to be made on many ferry routes. It has also given its initial response to other recommendations. When taken together, the recommendations set out a vision for the future of ferry services in Scotland that reflects the aspirations of many people who gave evidence to the inquiry. The convener has highlighted the recommendations on page 46 of the committee's report, which are well worth concentrating on. We discuss not just the future for ferries but benchmarking the future development of ferries against other possible means of transport, such as fixed links. When we think about new routes or improvements to existing routes, we should also think about whether there is justification for developing new fixed links, be they bridges, tunnels or causeways.
The Scottish Government has announced a year-long review of ferries policy and has confirmed that it will be informed by the committee's report. Are the decks clear for us to set sail for a bright new dawn for Scotland's ferry services? Not quite, as we face the European Commission inquiry into regulatory issues for Scotland's public sector ferry contracts, which may impact on the Scottish Government's review and the committee's vision. There is nothing that anyone can do about that.
The other issue that has the potential to distort the new review and the long-term vision that I described is the rather long RET pilot. There is potential for the diversion of tourist traffic from destinations outwith the RET pilot area to the pilot area, due to the lure of cheaper fares. When the minister gave oral evidence to the committee on 3 June, I pressed him to monitor the pilot for any sign of diversion. That will now be done, but I hope that it will be done conscientiously and that, if monitoring of the pilot shows evidence of diversion, remedial action will be swift and based on fairness rather than any considerations of political expediency.
These lifeline services merit a consensual approach by the Parliament, if such a thing is possible. We should all believe in ferries.
I do not need to remind any member—it is in the report for them to see—that we took evidence from Strathclyde partnership for transport on the importance of an urban ferry service that is still extant on the Clyde and the upper Clyde—the Yoker to Renfrew ferry. I have spent many a happy time on the "Renfrew Rose" and the "Yoker Swan".
In another incarnation, part of my business was visiting all the ferry services on the islands of Argyll. That said, I would be the first to admit that taking part in the committee inquiry, particularly making the field trips and visits during which we met people and gathered evidence in a less formal but more operational setting, was instructive.
Safe, reliable ferry services that are affordable at the point of use are essential to maintaining and developing the economic and social fabric of all of Scotland's islands and some of its peninsulas. The committee's inquiry has produced recommendations that are evidence based, reasonable, measured, achievable and incremental. The last point is important, given that, in addition to including recommendations on addressing current issues for Scotland's ferry users and operators, the report points to ferry users' aspirations for services and the standard that should apply a generation from now.
The Scottish Government has responded to the committee's recommendations for early operational improvements to be made on many ferry routes. It has also given its initial response to other recommendations. When taken together, the recommendations set out a vision for the future of ferry services in Scotland that reflects the aspirations of many people who gave evidence to the inquiry. The convener has highlighted the recommendations on page 46 of the committee's report, which are well worth concentrating on. We discuss not just the future for ferries but benchmarking the future development of ferries against other possible means of transport, such as fixed links. When we think about new routes or improvements to existing routes, we should also think about whether there is justification for developing new fixed links, be they bridges, tunnels or causeways.
The Scottish Government has announced a year-long review of ferries policy and has confirmed that it will be informed by the committee's report. Are the decks clear for us to set sail for a bright new dawn for Scotland's ferry services? Not quite, as we face the European Commission inquiry into regulatory issues for Scotland's public sector ferry contracts, which may impact on the Scottish Government's review and the committee's vision. There is nothing that anyone can do about that.
The other issue that has the potential to distort the new review and the long-term vision that I described is the rather long RET pilot. There is potential for the diversion of tourist traffic from destinations outwith the RET pilot area to the pilot area, due to the lure of cheaper fares. When the minister gave oral evidence to the committee on 3 June, I pressed him to monitor the pilot for any sign of diversion. That will now be done, but I hope that it will be done conscientiously and that, if monitoring of the pilot shows evidence of diversion, remedial action will be swift and based on fairness rather than any considerations of political expediency.
These lifeline services merit a consensual approach by the Parliament, if such a thing is possible. We should all believe in ferries.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Alasdair Morgan):
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S3M-2496, in the name of Patrick Harvie, on the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee's 4th ...
Patrick Harvie (Glasgow) (Green):
Green
I am pleased to open the debate on the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee's report on ferry services. I thank all the members of the comm...
The Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change (Stewart Stevenson):
SNP
In responding to the outcome of the committee's inquiry, I was delighted to report that we are now pursuing our own comprehensive ferries review in Scotland,...
Des McNulty (Clydebank and Milngavie) (Lab):
Lab
This is the first transport debate of the new term, and I begin in a spirit of consensus by acknowledging the minister's changes of heart. First, although he...
Stewart Stevenson:
SNP
The member will search long, hard and unsuccessfully to find a shred of evidence that I have ever wished to do anything other than support our elderly, if on...
Des McNulty:
Lab
Nothing is more welcome than the return of the prodigal son.I hope that we can continue in that consensual spirit by giving ministers an opportunity to rethi...
Alex Johnstone (North East Scotland) (Con):
Con
Like Patrick Harvie, I have only limited experience of using ferries in Scotland, so the inquiry greatly assisted my understanding of the importance of ferri...
Stewart Stevenson:
SNP
Does the member recognise that the European Union is looking at issues that go back to the early 1980s and 1990s and that that period covers a number of Gove...
Alex Johnstone:
Con
Indeed I do. However, as I have been keen to point out, trying to avoid the problems has not only compounded them but become a problem in itself. Ironically,...
Stewart Stevenson:
SNP
Will the member give way?
Alex Johnstone:
Con
The minister will have a chance to respond at the end of the debate. I am sorry, but I must make progress.As for the road equivalent tariff—which, I noticed,...
Alison McInnes (North East Scotland) (LD):
LD
This very interesting inquiry has given me a valuable insight into the daily constraints faced by islanders and I welcome our engagement with communities and...
Rob Gibson (Highlands and Islands) (SNP):
SNP
I had great pleasure in participating in the inquiry. As I am a member for the Highlands and Islands, more than 90 per cent of ferry services are in my area....
Des McNulty:
Lab
As Rob Gibson said, it is disappointing that Mr Allan is not here and was not here during some of the opening speeches to talk about the Western Isles. Howev...
Rob Gibson:
SNP
I say that we cannot have a pilot scheme that includes all services in the north and the Western Isles, and the proposed scheme is a pilot.I believe that Mr ...
Charlie Gordon (Glasgow Cathcart) (Lab):
Lab
Patrick Harvie and Alex Johnstone mentioned their ferry experiences, or the lack of them. Rob Gibson attributed a similar lack of experience to what he calle...
Rob Gibson:
SNP
Obviously, I recognise that some city members take their holidays on islands or have had responsibility for other than just their city area. However, I think...
Charlie Gordon:
Lab
I will meet Rob Gibson halfway. I was not going to count my experience as a small boy when I travelled free of charge back and forth from Partick to Govan on...
Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con):
Con
I welcome today's debate and many aspects of the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee's report. Ferry services play a massive role througho...
Stewart Stevenson:
SNP
The surveys that we carry out will include surveys on private vessels. We will, of course, take on board the views of the private sector.
Jamie McGrigor:
Con
I am glad to hear that. The review team needs to be made up of more than CalMac and civil service representatives. The private ferry sector, which has shown ...
Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD):
LD
Despite having been brought up in Orkney and now representing a constituency comprising 18 inhabited islands, it is fair to say that I am still awaiting deli...
Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con):
Con
Does the member acknowledge and commend the contribution of Andrew Banks and Pentland Ferries, which carries thousands of passengers every year, as well as l...
Liam McArthur:
LD
As a resident of Burray and a regular user of the Pentland Ferries service, I am happy to give such a commendation.Given the backdrop that I have described, ...
Alasdair Allan (Western Isles) (SNP):
SNP
I will overlook that slur. The Liberal Democrats' criticisms would appear a little less grudging and would have a little more credibility if it were not the ...
Liam McArthur:
LD
The point is that we would better ascertain where RET would or would not have an effect if the pilot encompassed more than a single constituency. I tire of b...
Christopher Harvie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP):
SNP
My thanks go to Patrick Harvie and the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee for the report on ferry services. My one regret is that referen...
Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab):
Lab
I welcome the committee's report. To say that ferries provide a lifeline to the communities they serve is to state the obvious. Such communities face disadva...
Stewart Stevenson:
SNP
Will Rhoda Grant clarify in which answer I suggested that I have all the necessary money? I am certainly working actively with Stòras Uibhist and the Western...
Rhoda Grant:
Lab
That is not my understanding and I will certainly communicate the answer to the minister so that he can look it up with his officials.The proposal would also...