Reid calls for Islands & Peninsulas not in RET pilot to get Government support (Dumfries Liberal Democrats)

Dumfries Liberal Democrats <tom@therussells.org.uk>

Reid calls for Islands & Peninsulas not in RET pilot to get Government support

April 27, 2009 12:28 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Alan Reid, Liberal Democrat MP for Argyll & Bute, reacted furiously to the fact that the Scottish Government is not supporting those islands and peninsulas missed out from its cheap ferry fares scheme.

He was speaking after receiving a reply from Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE). Earlier this month, HIE had announced additional help for those islands included in the RET pilot scheme. Alan Reid had written to HIE calling for help also to be given to those islands and peninsulas left out of the cheap ferry fares scheme. However, the reply from HIE's Chief Executive Sandy Cumming offers no such help.

Alan Reid said, "The Scottish Government are adding insult to injury by denying help to those islands and peninsulas left out of the cheap ferry fares scheme. The communities that are missing out on the benefits of cheap ferry fares need extra help in these difficult times. Tourist related businesses in these communities have been worried that tourists would this summer visit the islands which are benefiting from cheaper fares. The Scottish Government should be giving extra help to advertise those islands and peninsulas left out of the cheap ferry fares scheme. It is outrageous that all our island and peninsula communities are not getting support from the Scottish Government during these very difficult times."