Carmichael raises concerns over FlyBe franchise in Commons (BANFFSHIRE and BUCHAN COAST Liberal Democrats)

BANFFSHIRE and BUCHAN COAST Liberal Democrats <info@banffandbuchanlibdems.org.uk>

Carmichael raises concerns over FlyBe franchise in Commons

June 25, 2009 12:26 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Orkney and Shetland MP Alistair Carmichael today called on the Department for Transport (DFT) to convene a roundtable meeting to investigate local people's growing concerns about the quality of lifeline services being offered by Flybe.

Speaking during Transport questions in the House of Commons Chamber, Mr Carmichael said;

"Can I tell the Minister that in my constituency which does have genuine lifeline routes there is growing concern about the increasing cost and the decreasing quality of services that is provided to local people since Flybe took over the franchise.

"Can I ask if he would be prepared to set up a meeting perhaps along with his Scottish government counterpart and local representatives in order that we might see how his regulatory functions and the Scottish government's funding obligations can all be combined together to ensure that those people who need the services most get the best quality service from them?"

Replying, Parliamentary under Secretary of State for Transport Paul Clark MP said;

"Let me make very clear that we continue to support the use of public service obligations as a means of helping to subsidise what are very important lifeline services for communities, such as those which the Honourable member represents. Certainly some of the issues to which he refers will be partly a commercial decision making process but let me give him an assurance that I am willing to look very much in terms as to how we can ensure that we continue to make sure those people and communities have those lifeline services."

Commenting after his exchange in the Commons, Mr Carmichael said;

"It is undeniable that there is growing concern at the impact that Flybe's influence has had on our lifeline air services. This is an area where the overlap between Holyrood responsibilities and Westminster responsibilities can be dangerous. There is a need for Ministers in both government's to act together to ensure that the substantial amount of public money that is put into this service operates for the benefit of the passenger and not just the operator."