Current status: Answered by Stephen Flynn on 6 August 2026
To ask the Scottish Government what its policy is regarding whether revenues raised by municipal harbour authorities must be ring-fenced for local harbour maintenance and development, in light of reported stakeholder concerns regarding the draft Oban Harbour Revision Order.
The Scottish Government is responsible for making secondary legislation under the 1964 Harbours Act such as Harbour Revision and Harbour Empowerment Orders. Harbour authorities are independent bodies and it is their responsibility to ensure compliance with legislation and codes of practice. Harbour authorities are responsible for taking their own legal advice in relation to these matters.