Transport: Isles of Scilly Ferry Link Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Transport
Baroness Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde
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Transport: Isles of Scilly Ferry Link
Baroness Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde Excerpts(12 years, 6 months ago)
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Baroness Dean of Thornton-le-Fylde
My Lords, does the Minister accept that the statement of commercial viability is a thin veneer that masks the real poverty levels in the Scilly Isles? As my noble friend said, Cornwall has one of the lowest GDPs in the country. The fact that the ferry runs for seven months of the year is due to the tourist trade. However, behind that is the local community, which lives in poverty and depends on the mainland for its economy and health services. Will the Minister please review the statement that he has just made to the House?
Earl Attlee
My Lords, I cannot agree to review the statement that I made to the House because it is considered government policy. I accept that there are difficulties in the Isles of Scilly, particularly the dependence on the tourist trade.