Speaking in Dunoon after he attended a meeting of stakeholders on the future of the Gourock-Dunoon ferry route at which Scottish Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson was present, Jamie McGrigor, Highlands & Islands MSP said:

"While it was good of the Minister to make the time to come to Dunoon, I was disappointed that nothing specific was revealed today in terms of the detailed specification of what would in fact be tendered. The Minister only reaffirmed that he was all for a vehicle and passenger services between the two town centres.

" The fact is that there has been dithering, delay and procrastination on this issue under successive governments for 10 years and the people of Dunoon understandably want to see not just good intentions but the concrete details of what will be tendered. The people of Dunoon are fortunate to have two options of car ferries as well as the recent dedicated bus service which runs from the town centre via Western Ferries to Glasgow's Buchanan Street Bus Station.

" Understandably they do not want to see a reduction in services, rather an improvement which we all hope the tender should bring about. However, uncertainty will remain until Ministers set out in detail the tender specifications."

ENDs….

For all further information, please call Jamie on 07788900998

**********************************************************************

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Scottish Parliament. Further information and a range of public engagement activities can be viewed at the Parliament's website

For latest news and information about all aspects of Parliamentary business, MSPs and our work, visit the Parliament's website at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/.

For information about how you can visit the Parliament, go to http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/visitingHolyrood/index.htm.

Watch Parliamentary business live at http://www.holyrood.tv/