Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Transport Services to Isle of Wight

Thursday 9 September 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Bob Seely questioned the Department on the potential merits of imposing a public service obligation on ferry services between the Isle of Wight and the UK mainland.
  • The Department stated they will keep route assessments under review, including evidence of market failure requiring intervention.
  • Bob Seely noted the lack of public service obligation in Isle of Wight ferry services and sought an example of similar situations elsewhere in the UK.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Bob Seely Con
Transport
Context

The Isle of Wight relies heavily on its ferry services, which are essential for the island's connectivity and economic activities.

Question

What assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of imposing a public service obligation on vehicle and passenger services between the Isle of Wight and UK mainland?

Answer from Robert Courts

We recognise the importance of this route. We will always keep route assessments under review, including if there is any evidence of market failure that requires intervention.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about the merits and assessment was not directly addressed; instead, a general commitment to reviewing routes was given without specifics.

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Q2 Bob Seely Con
Transport
Context

The Isle of Wight's ferry services are critical but lack a public service obligation, raising concerns about the quality and reliability of these essential services.

Question

The Secretary of State knows that I hold him and his ministerial team in high regard. However, is it right that we have in the Isle of Wight ferry services a public service without any sense of public service obligation, and can the Minister tell me of a single example elsewhere in the United Kingdom where we have a true lifeline public service with no lifeline obligation attached to those services?

Answer from Robert Courts

I thank my hon. Friend for that question. He is a long-standing advocate of improving the service for his constituents, and he and I have spoken about it on many occasions. He will of course know that service provision to the Island is a matter for the local council, working with service operators. None the less, the Government will continue to monitor the service on this route, and if there is anything he would like to discuss with me at any time he need only ask.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask for an example of a similar situation elsewhere was not addressed; instead, general reassurances about monitoring were provided without specifics.

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