There is a plea for the government not to scrap the deal which exempts island lorries and other HGVs from the annual MOT test, with Bute in particular likely to suffer.

A consultation paper from the UK Department for Transport reviews the MOT dispensation HGVs enjoy on some islands.

It is not proposed to do away with the exemption for HGVs which are based on islands with populations under 5,000 and never travel to the mainland. These include Islay, Mull, Tiree, Arran, Great Cumbrae and North Uist.

But those which go to the mainland even just once, may soon need an MOT test. At present, island based lorries are exempt for journeys which start and end on the island. This enables island businesses to take goods to or collect them from the mainland.

But Alan Reid, Argyll and Bute MP since 2001 said: "The exemption is there for a very good reason. There are simply not enough HGVs on those islands to justify the cost of an authorised testing facility and the cost of taking an HGV to the mainland is very high."

He said losing the exemption would be costly. Bute, with its population of over 7,000, would be particularly badly affected because all HGV's based on the island would need an annual MOT even if they never left the island.

He continued "Islands have so few HGVs that it would not be cost effective for any island garage to install the equipment necessary, or pay to train staff to carry out these heavy goods vehicle tests. The cost of getting to the mainland would be high: a return ferry ticket at the extortionate commercial rates, the driver's time and losing work while the test is done."

It could also involve an overnight stay on the mainland.

When Mr Reid raised the issue in parliament this week, junior transport minister transport Claire Perry said the consultation was on a Britain-wide basis, but added.

"I encourage him to continue eloquently to make the case for the existing exemption in his neck of the woods."