Highland MSP queries hold up in Clyde and Hebrides Lifeline Ferry Service

Highlands & Islands MSP and Scottish (Labour)Transport spokesperson, David Stewart, who secured a debate in the Scottish Parliament this week on the contentious tendering process for the Clyde and Hebrides lifeline ferry routes, has learned from a reliable resource that the process has been delayed or put back a month. Scottish (Labour) and the RMT Union have been leading a campaign along with others, including the Scottish Daily Record, to keep these lifeline routes in public hands and out of the control of the private bidder Serco.

David Stewart has uncovered the fact that the Government could seek to opt out from putting these routes out to tender under a European agreement called the Teckal Exemption. There has been much debate this week about the legality or otherwise of opting out of the tendering process under this exemption, but at this weeks debate the Transport Minister, Derek Mackay, agreed again to meet with Union representatives for further discussion on the issue.

Speaking today (27/11/15) David Stewart said “ If the process has been, or is delayed for another month, then I see no reason why it just cannot be suspended until a full and satisfactory outcome is known about the Teckal Exemption. Why put this vital lifeline ferry service out to tender and risk jobs, security and a good solid service, if there is no requirement to do so?”

“In an effort to ascertain if there has been a delay or hold up, I have lodged a Parliamentary Question with the Scottish Government.”

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