The Executive has been clear throughoutthat there was no guarantee that the Gourock to Dunoon commercial tender would attractbids. However, as a commercial service would remove the constraints on a subsidisedservice imposed by State aid rules and as some local interests have argued thata service between Gourock Pier and Dunoon Pier could be operated on a commercialbasis, the Executive concluded that a commercial opportunity should be tendered.Now that it is clear that a passenger and vehicle service cannot be operated ona commercial basis, the Executive will, in line with plans announced when we issuedthe commercial tender, bring forward other proposals for the route.The tendering of ferry servicesis being conducted in a fair and robust manner and in full compliance with EU rulesand the Executive’s procurement guidelines.