Delay On Ferry Decision Shows 'Contempt For Kintyre'

SNP Shadow Minister for the Highlands and Islands, Duncan Hamilton MSP, has described the decision to postpone a decision on the Campbeltown - Bally castle ferry as showing contempt for Kintyre. He was speaking about the failure of a meeting hosted by the Scotland Office to reach any conclusion on the future of the route. Mr Hamilton said :

"The way that the Scotland Office has dealt with this issue defies belief. Over a year ago there were soothing noises as the then Minister of State, Brian Wilson, MP, took personal charge. The vital Public Service Obligation for the route was secured and as the General Election approached the electors of Argyll & Bute were led to believe that the ferry was a done deal. At that time I said I suspected the news was being 'spun' for political advantage and the renewed confusion over the service since the election has done nothing but reinforce that view.

"Yet another year has gone without being able to advertise Kintyre as a tourist destination with the ferry link and even the new investment from Vestas is being undermined by the prevarication and inertia in Government.

"Vestas hope to employ around 140 when they are in production. Half their projected market is in Ireland and their decision to locate in Kintyre was on the understanding given by the Scotland Office that all would be well with the ferry route. It now appears that such a pledge was not based on fact but rather on hope. To make matters worse, the Scotland Office, despite having insisted that they lead the negotiations, is now seeking to pass the bill for the subsidy to the Scottish Executive.

"That dispute is holding up a decision and means that Vestas cannot make investment decisions now on future job creation. Given the jobs crisis in Campbeltown that is unacceptable. I was with the workers from Jaeger on the ‘March for Jobs' and I remember the pledges we all made then to do what we could to attract employment. I wish I could say the same for the Labour politicians who seem unable or unwilling to act on the ferry.

"My commitment to this project is absolute and I will not cease harrying the Government to deliver."