NEWS RELEASE
19 July 2005 For immediate release
STUC disappointed but not surprised by Calmac announcement
Following the announcement that Jacques Barot, EU Transport Commissioner has expressed a view that the tendering of Calmac's lifeline ferry services must proceed, Stephen Boyd, STUC Assistant Secretary said:
"It comes as no surprise to the STUC that the Commissioner continues to apply a zealous and pedantic interpretation of EU competition law.
"The Commissioner should recognise that the relevant law is intended save the taxpayer money by increasing efficiencies through competition. This will not happen with Calmac. In Scotland at least, all parties recognise that tendering the services will considerably increase the cost to the taxpayer.
"The Scottish Executive must be prepared to challenge the Commission's unreasonable stance and thoroughly explore every option for retaining Calmac as an integrated, publicly owned and accountable service. When reporting back to Parliament in September the Transport Minister must take care to explain the full implications of tendering, including all associated costs, to MSPs.
"It is ironic that the Commission's view was expressed a day before the announcement of the new northern isles ferry contract. The Northlink farrago serves as a timely reminder of just how seriously tendering can go wrong".
ENDS For further information contact
Stephen Boyd