asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received concerning the possible withdrawal of Western Ferries from the Islay service.

I have received representations from Sir William Lithgow and the hon. Member about the possible withdrawal of the Western Ferries service to Islay. Islay Farmers Ltd have suggested that both Western Ferries and the Scottish Transport Group's services should be subsidised; and the secretary of the local transport users' action committee and a local councillor have written welcoming my decision to subsidise the Scottish Transport Group's service.