General Question Time – in the Scottish Parliament at on 25 April 2024.
Jamie Greene
Conservative
To ask the Scottish Government how it will improve connectivity on the islands of Arran and Cumbrae ahead of the busy summer tourist season. (S6O-03350)
Fiona Hyslop
Scottish National Party
I understand that yesterday’s news from CalMac Ferries that the expected return date for the MV Caledonian Isles is now August will be frustrating for the community, and I continue to urge CalMac to work closely with both communities to make best use of available vessels and to provide as much capacity as possible throughout this period of disruption.
I welcome and support the recent statements from Sheila Gilmore on Arran and Angus Campbell of the Cumbrae ferry committee. Both islands remain open for business; there is passenger capacity and there are public transport options for both islands. I appreciate the patience of passengers on other routes that have been disrupted as a consequence of the temporary vessel deployment to help support the islands that the member has identified.
Jamie Greene
Conservative
It goes without saying that our islands are open for business, but the word “frustration” underestimates the strength of feeling on our islands. They are staring down the barrel of a summer of more chaos on their ferry network. The MV Loch Shira, which services Cumbrae, is out of action, which is causing a lot of consternation on that island. The MV Caledonian Isles will not be around this summer, and the Glen Sannox has been delayed. That simply leaves the MV Isle of Arran, which is a 40-year-old vessel that is prone to breaking down. Is it any wonder that our islanders are nervous about the forthcoming summer season? Perhaps I can give the Cabinet secretary an opportunity to apologise in advance for the chaos that her Government is causing.
Fiona Hyslop
Scottish National Party
Jamie Greene would know, if he had listened to islanders, that they think that it is not necessarily taken as read that the message is that our islands are open for business. It is incumbent on all parties to reiterate that our islands are open for business. As for deployment to support the two islands that the member has mentioned, I said in my original answer that there is capacity and that passengers are able to travel.
This is a challenge, as we undoubtedly know. However, it is also important that we highlight the six new vessels that will be delivered by 2026 to support not just the islands that the member referred to, including Arran, but Islay and Little Minch. That will have an impact across the period. I have been up front in saying that this will be a difficult time, particularly with the dry docking, but let us get behind our islands and say with a united voice that they are open for business.
Kenneth Gibson
Scottish National Party
We know that repairs to the Caley Isles are more extensive than were previously anticipated, but how can anyone have any confidence in CalMac’s repair timescales, which went from March to June and, now, August? How can island businesses plan ahead with such constantly moving goalposts? I am delighted that the Minister has reminded people that Arran is open for business, but what practical steps will the Government take to get the message over to the wider public, who only see bad news on television, hear it on the radio or read it in the newspapers?
Fiona Hyslop
Scottish National Party
I am acutely aware of the impact that disruptions can have on people and businesses. However, as I have stated, there is capacity, and vessels are being deployed to support those vital areas. The complexity of the Caley Isles vessel design means that repairs must be carried out in a co-ordinated and controlled manner, which requires a highly complex repair effort. I have made it clear to CalMac that it would be helpful for it to be up front and realistic about timescales, as that will help provide confidence about planning.
The island remains open for business, and services will continue with the MV Isle of Arran and MV Alfred. Transport Scotland is urgently considering a request from the Isle of Arran ferry committee and CalMac for increased funding to enable full passenger capacity on the MV Alfred for the period that the MV Caledonian Isles is out of service. I will continue to stress to CalMac the need to clearly communicate the fact that the island remains open for business.
Question Time is an opportunity for MPs and Members of the House of Lords to ask Government Ministers questions. These questions are asked in the Chamber itself and are known as Oral Questions. Members may also put down Written Questions. In the House of Commons, Question Time takes place for an hour on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays after Prayers. The different Government Departments answer questions according to a rota and the questions asked must relate to the responsibilities of the Government Department concerned. In the House of Lords up to four questions may be asked of the Government at the beginning of each day's business. They are known as 'starred questions' because they are marked with a star on the Order Paper. Questions may also be asked at the end of each day's business and these may include a short debate. They are known as 'unstarred questions' and are less frequent. Questions in both Houses must be written down in advance and put on the agenda and both Houses have methods for selecting the questions that will be asked. Further information can be obtained from factsheet P1 at the UK Parliament site.
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