Chamber and committees

This is also about the balance of cross-subsidies, because you may want to use the commercial profits from one service to subsidise other services, which is the issue around bundling. I am very keen to understand a bit more about the routes that you think could be commercially operated.

Gordon, you talked about the Islay route. If you have a bundled cross-subsidised system and a profitable whisky industry that benefits from that subsidy, but it does not have the capacity or frequency of service that it needs, is that an example of where there could be addition? Instead of unbundling, could additional services be provided on a more commercial basis?

The committee is taking a fresh look at the needs of communities and businesses. The Government has been quite clear about its view, but that does not prevent the committee from investigating the subject. Helen, do you want to reflect on the points that I put to Gordon Ross?

You both operate routes in competition with services that are supported by the Scottish Government. I am interested in hearing what impact that has on your businesses and on future possible expansion. For example, you have touched on the length of tenders and investment in vessels.

Good morning. I will ask a basic question about Scottish ferry services. Obviously, some of those are lifeline services; do you agree that there is a need for subsidy of ferry services in Scotland?

That was my next question. Are you aware of any routes that are currently subsidised and supported by the Scottish Government that could operate at a commercial profit?

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

I will stay with Paul Sheerin. I was struck by your sobering contribution earlier, in which you said that, even with the best will in the world, we just do not have the people or the skills base to make the most of the fantastic opportunities for new energy, whether that involves future hydrogen programmes or ScotWind.

Previously, in growing the life sciences sector, for example, we had a two-for-one apprenticeship scheme. In keeping employability and workplace learning, do you think that it is possible within that to ramp up the alliances with employers? Perhaps we could have some kind of bridging scheme to help them, over the next five years, to grow the group of welders or manufacturers and enable us to maximise the growth opportunities for the future. That might be a bit of a leading question, but you can tell me whether you agree or disagree.

I thank the witnesses for their valuable insights. The reality is that we will face budget cuts rather than additional funding. We anticipate the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer’s statement, and austerity is likely to mean cuts in budgets. What are the most important financial policy support measures from the Scottish Government that the witnesses would want to keep?

So the power of procurement should be considered as part of the budget. That is a strong message.

I come to Ian Laird. What financial measures, support or policies do you want to be kept rather than cut?