The
MP for Gosport has been given assurances on his three areas
of concern by the company which is now taking over control
of the Portsmouth Harbour Ferry Company.
Peter Viggers
said today:- “The three concerns are
services, employment and fares.
After several discussions I am now as satisfied as I can
be that local interests will indeed be respected.
I have a letter from the Chairman of the company which
is now taking ownership of the ferry. He undertakes that
services will be maintained at the same frequency and quality.
The continuation of employment of those who work for the
Company is confirmed. And in discussion on fares I am assured
that there is no plan to increase fares and that they will
continue to be set at a fair level.
This is what I set out to achieve. I had originally thought
I could best achieve this by chairing the local board of
the Ferry Company, but this no longer necessary because I
have the commitments I was seeking. Also the decision of
Hampshire County Council to revise and resubmit its bid for
funding for the Light Rapid Transit system would cause a
conflict of interest. I am committed to support the Light
Rapid Transit system which is a potential competitor to the
ferry.
Therefore
I have decided not to accept the invitation to chair the
Ferry Company Board. This is my decision. It has
no financial implications for me because I would not have
been paid. I have achieved what I set out to do..
Attachment
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 24 December 2004
Peter Viggers Esq MP
The House Of Commons
Westminster
London SW1
Dear Peter,
When first I mentioned the interest of the Falkland
Islands Holdings Company (FIH) in the Portsmouth Harbour
Ferry
Company (PHFC), you expressed concern on behalf of
your constituents
and said they would want reassurance on three issues:
service, employment and fares.
After discussing this
with my colleagues I came back to you and said that we
were indeed anxious to put
local
fears at
rest and suggested that a good way to do this would
be to retain the local Board with you as Chairman
in order
to guarantee
local interests. You said that you did not wish to
receive a Director's fee personally and said you
would pass this
to local charities.
This situation has been misunderstood and misrepresented.
My purpose in writing now is to carry the matter
forward.
As to service, I confirm that FIH will
maintain the ferry service between Gosport and Portsmouth
at the
present
frequency and quality.
On employment, we have no plans to change the
basis of the Company's activities and we therefore
confirm
that
we expect
continuity of employment for those who work
for the Company.
On fares as I am sure you understand it is
not possible to give any firm assurances
on future
fare levels
until we fully
assess the position but I can confirm that
we have not taken any decision at this time
to increase
fares.
We have discussed how best to reassure local
interests and how this can be achieved,
Hampshire County Council's revised
plans for the Light Rapid Transit system
could now create a conflict of interest
for you and
I recognise
that you
feel it would therefore be better if you
were not personally a
member of the Board. You have now met with
Mike Killingley who is to become Chairman
of the Local
Board. He is
a Hampshire man and a former Director of the Company;
you are satisfied that he will ensure local interests are
fully represented. On that basis we have agreed that you
will not join the Board.
I hope that you
feel you have fulfilled your objectives on behalf of your
constituents. For our
part we look
forward to continuing the traditions of the Ferry Company
and indeed in due course providing a better service
for local residents and visitors.
Yours Sincerely
David Hudd
Chairman
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - |
