Tall Ships

Scottish Executive – in the Scottish Parliament at 2:30 pm on 2 September 1999.

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Photo of Duncan McNeil Duncan McNeil Labour 2:30, 2 September 1999

To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will congratulate Inverclyde Council and its partners on the staging of the recent tall ships event in Greenock. (S1O-204)

Photo of Sam Galbraith Sam Galbraith Labour

Yes, we would like to congratulate Inverclyde Council and everyone involved in making the event a huge success.

Photo of Duncan McNeil Duncan McNeil Labour

The event was such a success that we made a video and there is a free copy for Sam at the end of question time. For everyone else, it costs £11.99 from Inverclyde District Council.

Does the Executive recognise that while event-based tourism such as the tall ships race boosts an area's image, confidence and self-esteem, long-term gains can be achieved only by supporting the Invest in Inverclyde campaign that seeks to deliver significant benefits by improving infrastructure and by sustainably developing tourism? Such measures allow areas such as Greenock to overcome serious problems that arise from the demise of heavy industry.

Photo of Sam Galbraith Sam Galbraith Labour

I am grateful to the member for his comments. I think I am answering this question on two dubious pretexts: first, that because boats and sailing are involved, the issue is related to sport; secondly, that I come from Greenock, which is where the event was held.

There is no doubt that, when we seek to regenerate and revitalise areas, we have to consider the broad spectrum of available tools, one of which is large sporting events. I want to congratulate not just Inverclyde Council on its outstanding work on the event, but Shetland Islands Council, which saw the next leg of the race. My heartiest congratulations go to both for taking a wide view of their responsibilities and of the way to push their areas forward.