Church seeks answers over Air Discount Scheme exclusions 22/12/11
By Bill Lucas
The Western Isles Presbytery of the Free Church is writing to the Free
Church headquarters in Edinburgh asking them to seek clarification on the Scottish
Government’s decision that 'business travel' will no longer qualify for the Air Discount
Scheme which provides a 40 per cent discount on the core air fare on ADS island routes.
The Presbytery had been seeking information as to whether business exclusion applied to ministers attending committee meetings in Inverness or Edinburgh.
It was felt that a letter from Transport Minister Keith Brown had left more questions than answers. Mr Brown stated that they had received informal advice from the European Commission and were considering it carefully.
However it was clear that the Commission took the view that organisations engaged in economic activity should not profit from a scheme not designed for that purpose.
ADS schemes should only be granted to individuals. Member states were free to restrict
aid in a variety of circumstances. It appeared therefore that the Commission had
no difficulty with the exclusion of all business-
Mr Brown added that once they had considered the Commission's advice they would provide an update.
Because of the doubts left by the letter the Presbytery decided to remit the issue
to the Free Church headquarters in Edinburgh to pursue the matter.