The local newspaper, the West Highland Free Press, recently published a story that the toll levels of the Skye Bridge were "nodded through" by Scottish MSPs. They reported that "Political opposition to the principle of Skye Bridge tolls collapsed in the Scottish Parliament last week when an all-party committee nodded through, without debate or amendment, the Order which pegs toll charges at their current level."
"Members of the committee included the Scottish Nationalist transport spokesman, Mr Kenny Macaskill, who has already attracted ridicule from political opponents for making spending commitments running into hundreds of millions of pounds."
Mr MacAskill, however wishes to set the record straight from his point of view and has sent the following letter for publication by the Free Press.
From: Kenny.MacAskill.msp@scottish.parliament.uk
Sent: 28 January 2000 17:37
Subject: Letter
Dear Sir
Your article of 28th instant has been drawn to my attention.
The political bias of your paper is known to both me and your readers. However it would be remiss of me not to comment on the terms of your report.
You make comment regarding nodding through without debate or amendment the order to peg Skye Bridge charges at their current level. The Order to give it its proper name is The Invergarry-Kyle of Lochalsh Trunk Road (A87) Extension (Skye Bridge Crossing) Toll Order ( Variation) Order 1999
I Convene the Subordinate Legislation Committee and sit on the Transport and Environment Committee. The former had the Order relating to the Skye Bridge before it. That Committee is not allowed to comment on policy but only to draw any defects, flaws or vires problems to the Lead committee.
The Committee containing representatives of all Party's noted none and accordingly took no action. The only action that it could ultimately have taken would have drawn specific matters to the attention of the Lead Committee.
That Committee was the Transport and Environment Committee. As I have said I also sit on but do not chair. They approved the order. Again it was a Committee containing all Party's and again without dissension. The reason being that it is not possible to amend these orders. You can only approve or reject the order.
Personally I think it better to freeze the tolls rather than see them increased. Do you suggest that I should, along with your Labour colleagues, have rejected the Order?
My position along with that of my Party is quite clear. We opposed the tolling of the Bridge and continue to do so. We believe that matters can and should be solved by Executive action through shadow tolls to end the iniquitous punishment on residents and those passing through from other Islands.
Your article was disingenuous and intended to deceive. I trust this clarifies matters for your readers. I will leave it to you to explain why the Labour Party that you so proudly espouse has been in power for 1000 days and we still have Tolls. You can't blame it all on the Tories now. Labour is in charge in Edinburgh and in London. The buck and the tolls stop with you and them.
Yours Faithfully
Kenny MacAskill
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Most recent revision, 03 December 2001