AS THE last shipyard in the United Kingdom to carry out new-build commercial work, Ferguson shipbuilders of Port Glasgow represents the hope of saving the nucleus of such shipbuilding not just on Clydeside but also in the whole UK. In your report (July 18) of Jimmy Reid's remarks in support of Ferguson emphasis is once again placed on European rules being the culprit. It must surely be argued in addition, and more importantly, that the UK is a "Special Maritime Case" for the following reasons:
1. We live on an island. (Despite the Channel tunnel - a terrorist's dream. ) 2. 95per cent of British trade still is carried by sea.
3. British maritime industries have an annual turnover of more than [pounds]37bn. (Twice the size of aerospace. ) 4. The British maritime sector employs more than 250,000 people.
5. We have one of the longest coastlines in Europe.
6. We have one of the greatest, if not the greatest, number of inhabited islands in Europe.
7. In the enlarged 25-state European Union 21 countries can trade with one another overland (in the case of Sweden and Finland with diplomatic approval of Russia). The exceptions are the UK, Ireland, Malta and Cyprus. So we are the only major European power that cannot trade overland with its European neighbours. We rely on sea transport, notwithstanding the vulnerable Channel tunnel.
It is for these reasons that Scottish and British ministers should be going to Brussels and insisting to Europe that we are such a "Special Maritime Case" and are entitled, regardless of EU rules, to maintain an appropriately substantial commercial shipbuilding industry. If countries such as France and Germany object, then tough. The "other 24" will just have to lump it.
David Price, Auchenfroe Lodge, Cardross.
THE announcement that EU Commissioner Jacques Barrot has insisted that the Clyde and Hebrides ferry services must be put out to tender is hugely significant. The RMT Union stating that Scotland is against tendering is a monumental fib. The 370 responses to the government's consultation showed that a small minority support CalMac and the status quo. The majority have asked for competitive fares, more ferry sailings, later sailings and new innovation in their services.
MSPs and the Scottish Executive should listen to what the majority of islanders have said in their consultation process. The EU has listened to islanders and is likely to move to infraction proceeedings if there is any further procrastination on tendering.
The huge irony is that competitive ferry operators will follow the fine Western Ferries example and build their ships on the Clyde - unlike the current farce forcing CalMac to build in Poland. Maybe it's time to look at exactly what agenda the RMT has, and how it is at fundamental odds to what the islanders have asked for, along with the effect of all this on the staff at Ferguson shipbuilders.
Russ McLean, managing director, Argyll Group plc, Coopers Lane, Campbeltown.
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