Scotland’s Ferries
The result of the division on motion S6M-03712, in the name of Graham Simpson, on Scotland’s ferries, as amended is: For 79, Against 32, Abstentions 0.
Motion, as amended, agreed to,
That the Parliament agrees that ferry services provide an essential lifeline to island and remote rural communities and their economies; recognises that, through adverse weather events and COVID-19 causing many cancellations on the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services routes, this has been a challenging winter for island residents, businesses and communities; commends the vessel masters for the key role that they are trained to play in ensuring people’s and vessels’ safety with the decisions that they make about how and when ferries can sail; acknowledges that technical issues causing some vessels to be further laid up have added to people’s frustrations and inconvenience; notes that, since 2007, over £2 billion has been invested in service contracts, new vessels and infrastructure and that, in the current five-year period, a further £580 million has been committed, enabling harbour investments, two new vessels for Islay to be built and the purchase of the MV Loch Frisa; further notes the Scottish Government commitment to publish the Islands Connectivity Plan by the end of 2022; welcomes that the Scottish Government saved Ferguson Marine, the last commercial shipyard on the Clyde, from closure, rescuing more than 300 jobs and ensuring that two new ferry vessels will be delivered, while noting the planned revised timetable and costs for completion of these two vessels; condemns the recent actions by P&O Ferries in the strongest possible terms, and makes clear the Scottish Government’s support for P&O Ferries employees, and agrees that “fire and rehire” practices should be outlawed and have no place in a fairer, greener Scotland.