Local Government and Transport Committee, 28 Feb 2006

Meeting date: Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Official Report 323KB pdf

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Maritime Passenger Rights (European Consultation)

Finally, we come to the consultation document that the European Commission has issued with regard to the rights of passengers travelling by sea or inland waterway in the European Union. Given that that falls within our remit, I thought that it might be useful for us to consider taking evidence on it. We have a relatively short time in which to make a response to the EU consultation, which has to be received by 30 April. I propose that we schedule an evidence session for 28 March, which would be our last meeting before the Easter recess. The clerks would then be able to draft a response to the Commission for the committee to consider on its return after the recess.

I suggest that we seek direct oral evidence from the Minister for Transport and Telecommunications and written evidence from all the ferry companies that operate in Scottish waters as well as groups representing ferry passengers and any other relevant organisations that members wish to suggest. Do members have suggestions of organisations other than those that I have mentioned?

No.

On that basis we agree to the recommendations in paragraphs 10 and 11 of paper LGT/S2/06/6/7. We will deal with that matter on 28 March.

That brings us to the end of the meeting. I remind members that next week's meeting is in Motherwell, so they should ensure that they are in Motherwell, not Edinburgh.

Meeting closed at 17:13.