There are calls for the Holyrood and Westminster parliaments to contribute to the cost of raising the Solway Harvester.

The Isle of Man government has pledged £1m for the operation to raise the Kirkcudbright-based scallop dredger which sank on 11 January with the loss of seven lives.

Scottish National Party rural affairs spokesman Alasdair Morgan is calling for ministers to put up some of the cash.

Mr Morgan has written to Scottish Finance Minister Jack McConnell and Westminster maritime minister Keith Hill asking them to make a contribution to the Isle of Man Government.

Since agreeing to pay for the operation, Isle of Man ministers have admitted they did so without any knowledge of the costs involved.

The operation to raise the wreck, 11 miles off the coast of Isle of Man, has been hindered by bad weather and is still to be completed.

The bodies of the seven crew have, however, been recovered.

Funerals were held on Wednesday and Thursday for the seven fishermen who were all from the Whithorn, Isle of Whithorn and Garlieston areas of south-west Scotland.

Mr Morgan said: "Over the last few weeks I have discussed this matter with many of my constituents and it is a near unanimous opinion that the Isle of Man Government should not be left to bear these costs alone.

"The speedy, efficient and generous action of the Manx Government since the tragic loss of the Solway Harvester last month has been of great support to the next of kin of the crew and to the fishing communities of the Solway.

"The generosity of a small island nation funding the expense involved in raising the Solway Harvester has meant that my constituents have not had to endure the long drawn-out wait the constituents of my colleague, Alex Salmond MSP, had to go through after the loss of the Sapphire.

"In that case the refusal of the government to fund the recovery meant that whilst having to cope with their grief the next of kin had to become involved in a fund-raising campaign to raise the vessel.

"I am extremely grateful to the Manx authorities for their humanitarian action and can only reflect that the situation could have been even more distressful to the families involved had the vessel sunk outwith Manx waters.

"At this time I believe it would be most appropriate for the Scottish Parliament to give more than verbal thanks to the Manx authorities but to also assist them in meeting the costs involved.

"I ask that you give this matter your full consideration and look forward to your reply."