CONCERNS have been raised about the impact strict UK Government passport checks could have on the number of cruise ship passengers visiting Greenock in the future.

The Border Agency have introduced more stringent guidelines as part of a pilot programme but the Scottish Government says there is no update on what the rules will be going forward – and if the new regulations will continue.

There are fears the stricter guidelines will put cruise ship passengers off visiting Scottish ports, including Greenock.

Inverclyde welcomed more than 90,000 people this year — a record for the area’s ever-growing cruise season.

Local MSP Stuart McMillan, who is convenor of the cross-party group on recreational boating and marine tourism, says the UK Government are dragging their feet over the issue.

Mr McMillan highlighted a letter from the Scottish tourism minister Fergus Ewing sent to the Westminster immigration minister James Brokenshire last week raising concerns about a lack of dialogue between London and Edinburgh.

The SNP MSP said: “The cruise industry is a very valuable one to the Scottish economy and brings in much needed support to areas such as Inverclyde when the cruise ships dock in Greenock and the passengers disembark to spend their money in the local economy.

“Therefore, it’s disappointing the UK Government will not discuss the on-going and unresolved concerns regarding passport checks on cruise passengers.” The Tele contacted the Home Office, which is responsible for border control and immigration, and officials said the checks are ‘vital’ to keep the UK safe.

But there was no indication of whether UK Government ministers would meet with and Scottish Government to discuss concerns.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “The government is committed to securing our border, whilst protecting and promoting our national prosperity.

“We recognise the economic importance of the cruise industry — particularly for rural communities in the west and north of Scotland. However, we must not compromise on the vital border checks that keep the UK safe from crime, terrorism and illegal immigration.

“We will continue to work with the industry on the best ways to ensure the security of the border whilst minimising inconvenience to passengers and boosting the economy.” Mr McMillan’s calls for answers came as the Office for National Statistics revealed that overseas visits to Scotland increased by nearly half a million to 2.6m in the last year up to June while spending by tourists also rose by £100,000 to £1.6m.

He said: “In a week when we learn that the number of tourists who are visiting Scotland is increasing, we also learn the UK Government is continuing to dig its heels in over passport checks on cruise ship passengers.”