Scots' concern
Page 7
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
SCOTTISH transport interests are awaiting the outcome of next week's election with particular concern.
Scottish Secretary George Younger has still to make a statement on the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's report on ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne (CM, March 5), and the future of its fellow Scottish Transport Group subsidiary MacBrayne Haulage.
A statement must be made this month, whichever party wins the election.
There appears to be strong support in Government circles for selling the haulage company, but there could be a delay as the haulage accounts are hidden within figures for other diverse SIC interests such as travel and publicity and private sector buyers would want to know in greater detail just what they might buy.
The issue of ferry rates to the Scottish islands is also still in the air, with no sign of the Conservatives reaffirming their 1979 manifesto commitment for early introduction of road equivalent tariff — matching the freight rate to the equivalent rate for a journey by road.
The Convention of Scottish Local Authorities is disappointed that the Government has failed to meet this commitment within the lifetime of the last Parliament, and clearly feels let down.
A spokesman told CM: "We accept that the level of financial support has been increased to existing ferry operators, but despite repeated representations from local authorities in Scotland, rates have not been put on to an RET basis.