The Scottish National Party MP for the Western Isles, Angus MacNeil, is reported in Hebrides News Today of 29 November as saying:“I believe it is a major mistake to remove RET from the haulage industry … The whole point of RET is to help the economy of the islands, increasing transport costs for the haulage industry at a time of crippling fuel costs is disappointing. As recessions go, the Hebrides have fared reasonably well, this was I am sure helped by RET.”On 6 December, Mr MacNeil declared himself to be“fully supportive of the hauliers in the Outer Hebrides”and stated that:“The removal of RET will ultimately lead to an increase in prices for customers in our islands … If this is not sorted freight costs and prices will go up which could ultimately impact on jobs.”Donald Joseph Maclean of Barratlantic Ltd joined him in that press release, stating:“Since RET came into effect four years ago, we have been on the same working level as our mainland competitors and our turnover has increased by 20%, which made us competitive.