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Sir,

 

Councillor Crichton makes a very good point when he questions why the Scottish Administration allowed island ferry services to be put out to tender in 2005.

 

Despite advice and the EU ruling on the German bus services (Alt Mark) Jack McConnell's Labour administration proceeded to put the ferry service out to tender when there was ample justification to opt out.

 

Labour, having set the precedent, has made it difficult for any future administration to opt out of the tendering process.

 

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Letter:  Labour steamed ahead on ferry tendering

 

19 October 2015  

For the Scottish Government to opt out now they would probably have to identify what has changed in the past 10 years. The EU would probably tell us if it was not applicable in 2005 it is not applicable now.

 

The opportunity was lost under Jack McConnell's bungling branch office who put big business and Middle England before the people they represented.

 

Councillor Crichton is misleading the electorate by suggesting the service could be privatised. The ferries and other assets belong to the Scottish Government and will continue to do so regardless of whoever wins the contract.

 

What is being tendered for, is the opportunity to manage these assets in line with the contractual requirements of Transport Scotland.

Archie Harper

27 Shulishader

Point

Isle of Lewis