Lord Berkeley instigated a short debate in the House of Lords on
24 Oct with the question:
“To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps
they are taking to ensure a lifeline passenger service to the Isles
of Scilly following the closure of the helicopter service on 1
November 2012”.
There was a spirited debate with contributions from a number of
peers including Lord Teverson. Lord Greenway, presumably speaking in
support of the Government, raised the issue of cargo vessels “one
of which sails three times a week during the winter, and which
carries a few passengers”. This is clearly a peer who has never
experienced the pleasure of sailing in the Gry Maritha as a passenger
– an option only pursued by the truly desperate.
Lord Attlee, trying to avoid direct comparison of the transport
needs of the Isles of Scilly and Scottish Isles stated “Scotland is
different because it involves much more complicated and wide-ranging
services that cannot be operated on a commercial basis”. Many,
given the facts, would dispute this claim.
Earl Attlee ended the debate saying: My Lords, I assure the House that my honourable friend Mr Norman Baker takes these matters very seriously and is on the case.
You can read the full debate here (Hansard)
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