Scots fears
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FREIGHT Transport Association Scottish members' efforts to submit evidence to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission inquiry into ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne are being hindered by members' fears of reprisals against them.
An ETA spokesman explained that only three operators out of 30 had responded so far to a circular in which they were invited to comment on the terms of reference for the MMC inquiry into the state-owned ferry operator which serves the Western Isles and Highlands.
The stumbling block appears to be the clause which empowers the MMC to investigate the connections between Calmac and its fellow Scottish Transport Group subsidiaries, and the STG subsidiary MacBrayne Haulage in particular.
The question of regular bookings made by Calmac for the haulage subsidiary has long been a source of concern, but few operators are prepared to, give evidence to either the FTA or the MMC.
An ETA spokesman said that if the MacBrayne Haulage vehicles are always fully laden on their journeys by ferry, then the allocation of space is not out of proportion to the traffic carried.
But he said it is difficult to arrive at any judgment, as few operators are prepared to give evidence to the inquiry, in case Calmac should adopt an unsympathetic attitude to them in future.
The ETA has secured a significant concession from the MMC, which has indicated that it will accept any evidence for this inquiry on a confidential basis, and will not divulge the source, although the official record of the inquiry will still have to substantiate every item of evidence.