8. To ask the Scottish Government what cross-government consideration there has been regarding the use of tunnels to improve connectivity between the islands. (S6O-02495)

Transport Scotland regularly engages with colleagues across the Scottish Government in the islands, planning, housing, population and infrastructure teams in the context of improving transport connectivity to and from Scotland’s many islands.

I recently visited Shetland, Orkney and Mull, during which time I had several discussions on the matter of tunnels and fixed links replacing existing ferry services. Although transport is a devolved matter, this week I had a discussion on the replacement of the Fair Isle ferry with United Kingdom Government minister Richard Holden. That discussion did not extend to fixed links to our islands.

I n July, Shetland Islands Council wrote to the Secretary of State for Scotland and the First Minister, asking to meet about tunnels and other matters. A date has been arranged for the council leader to meet Alister Jack in London. Has the First Minister responded? If not, why not?

I was very pleased to meet Shetland Islands Council in August to discuss these matters. As far as the First Minister and I are aware, in September, Shetland Islands Council committed to spending £700,000 considering the business case for four potential new fixed links in the Shetland Islands. It has direct responsibility for the matter.

On the invitation to the First Minister, I understand that it was for later in September, but I may be wrong about that. I am not responsible for his diary, but I understand that an invitation is being actively considered. I am sure that there will be a response, as the member might expect, in due course.

With the growing space, salmon and renewable energy sectors in Shetland and the reported growing interest of the UK Government in meeting Shetland Islands Council about short subsea tunnels, will the Scottish Government commit to a date to meet Shetland Islands Council specifically to discuss tunnels?

I thank the member for hosting my meeting with the Unst and Yell tunnel action groups when I visited. I also met Shetland Islands Council and ZetTrans on the issue of fixed links, precisely for the reasons that were set out. The growing economic links were part of that agenda item back in August, and those discussions will continue.

I have indicated to the members whom I met in Shetland that Transport Scotland stands ready to assist with any of the business cases that they are currently putting together.