Dave Thompson MSP

The Annual Fishing negotiations among EU states have recently concluded, and I am pleased to note that the proposed cut to the number of days at sea for Scottish fishermen was defeated. The proposed 20% cut to the Cod quota was also defeated, while increases were secured for West coast Nephrops and Herring. These measures represent a fair settlement for Scottish Fishermen, and I am delighted that we have been able to secure this deal that will offer some security for West coast fishermen in the coming year.

The Scottish Langoustine project demonstrates how well our fishermen can perform when Government offers support. Richard Lochhead recently unveiled temporary measures which have ensured that West Coast prawn fishermen will not be prevented from fishing in January, but we must have a regulatory system that is sufficiently flexible in order to react to changes in fish stock biology – without the months of uncertainty that our fishermen have had to endure. I give Richard my full support in his attempts to improve the Common Fisheries Policy. I hope that Westminster will heed his calls, which have been echoed in many of our EU neighbours an in the scientific community, to make drastic improvements to the CFP and the Cod Recovery Plan.

The publication of the Ferries Plan, which sets out the way forward for the next ten years, is very welcome. It rightly recognises the huge contribution that ferries make to the social, cultural and economic wellbeing of our nation, and confirms the retention of the Kilchoan/ Tobermory, Lochaline/ Fishnish and Mallaig/ Armadale ferries as they are. It also confirms improvements to the Small Isles service, including an additional Sunday service, an increase to two services on more days, and a new timetable that will provide a meaningful visit to the mainland on at least one day of the week. I also note that the review will provide for a minimum of two vehicular services once a two boat solution is introduced in the future, and I would welcome your views on this. These changes not only secure the future of these vital services, but also deliver some substantial improvements which will make a positive difference to those who use them.

I was extremely disappointed to read Charles Kennedy’s attack on the Scottish Government’s use of the £50 million funding from Westminster for the sleeper service between the Highlands and London. The attack is at best misleading and at worst reveals that he doesn’t understand the investment process.

Improving the rolling stock used for the service is, unfortunately, not as simple as picking a new carriage off the shelves like a loaf of bread. A detailed specification needs to be designed, and then a competitive tendering process held to ensure that the contract is handled appropriately. Indeed, we have recently seen what happens when a Government rushes a decision such as this; witness the fiasco surrounding the UK West Coast contract and the huge waste of £100 million of public money involved.

Keith Brown has rightly requested that Westminster remove the bizarre requirement that the £50 million be spent within six months, which they agreed to, and has committed to matching this with £50 million from the Scottish Government. The money is, in the meantime, secure and I am confident that Keith will deliver an improved sleeper service as soon as possible, and without running the risk of making errors through a rushed decision.

Finally, I would like to wish readers all the best over Christmas and the New Year. I hope that you all have an enjoyable time catching up with friends and family, but that we all remember the true meaning of Christmas and, as Jesus said, “Love your neighbour as yourself”. So, help those who are less fortunate, whether it be by checking on a vulnerable neighbour, or supporting one of the very many charities who do their best to bring a little relief at this time of year, and have a great time yourselves.