David Stewart

1 Oct 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last submitted a legal argument to the UK Government in favour of seeking a derogation for Scottish ferry services from EU regulation 3577/92 on maritime cabotage.

Answer · Derek Mackay: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27833 on 15 October 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentar…

1 Oct 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent representations it has made to the UK Government on the impact on Scottish ferry services of EU regulation 3577/92 on maritime cabotage.

Answer · Derek Mackay: As noted in my statement to Parliament on 24 June 2015, it has been demonstrated that European law (Council Regulation (EEC) No 3577/92, applying the principle of freedom to provide services to maritime transport within member states (maritime cabotage), and …

24 Sep 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions the Energy Jobs Taskforce has had regarding jobs in Scotland in decommissioning offshore oil and gas assets.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Energy Jobs Taskforce has discussed decommissioning and recognises the potential for employment opportunities. Its primary focus is on working with industry and the unions to ensure that there is no premature cessation of production and unnecessary early …

24 Sep 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the impact on employment in Scotland of decommissioning offshore oil and gas assets.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: A key aim of the Scottish Government is to ensure there is no premature cessation of production in the North Sea and we have called upon the UK Government to consult on further measures to support exploration, critical infrastructure and decommissioning. How…

24 Sep 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what representations it has made to the UK Government regarding the impact on employment in Scotland of the policies of oil and gas companies and contractors.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government is clear that more needs to be done to protect and sustain employment in the oil and gas industry, which is why the First Minister launched the Energy Jobs Taskforce in January 2015. The UK Government is represented on the taskforce. …

24 Sep 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the effect on Scottish seafarers in the oil and gas supply sector of Gulfmark’s reported demand for a 15% pay reduction.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: While this is ultimately a matter for the company, we would call on them to work constructively with unions to ensure cost reductions in the industry are managed in a fair and effective manner, and in a way that looks to sustain and protect as many employees …

24 Sep 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the causes of the decline in (a) wage rates and (b) employment for Scottish workers in the oil and gas supply sectors.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government is clear that more needs to be done to help the oil and gas industry during these challenging times. We have called on the UK Government to consult on what further measures can be taken to support exploration, critical infrastructure a…

24 Sep 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ensure that the Energy Jobs Taskforce makes recommendations to the UK Government to ameliorate the effect on Scottish seafarers of the downturn in oil prices.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The remit of the Energy Jobs Taskforce is to support jobs across the energy sector, with an initial focus on oil and gas given the current challenges faced by the industry. The taskforce brings together key stakeholders, including industry, government, the pu…

24 Sep 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the impact on employment for Scottish seafarers in the oil and gas supply sector of wage rates for seafarers working in the North Sea on vessels registered with the Norwegian International Ship Register, and whether it has raised the matter with the UK Gove…

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government has not discussed this matter with the UK Government. However, we have taken action to mitigate the worst effects of the downturn by setting up the Energy Jobs Taskforce, which was convened by the First Minister in January 2015. The ta…

14 Sep 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis it has carried out of the possible impact of its plans for trunk road construction on the level of emissions from traffic, and what action it will take in light of this.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Each trunk road scheme is assessed for its potential to result in traffic emissions from construction and operation. The assessment involves the iterative design, assessment and identification of measures that could be taken to avoid or reduce adverse impacts…

14 Sep 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to allocate additional funds to support trunk road construction and, if so, (a) how it plans to raise this and (b) what impact it will have on the support that it provides to sustainable modes of transport.

Answer · John Swinney: The UK Spending Review will not be published until 25 November 2015 and we will therefore not know what block grant is available in future to Scottish Ministers and delivery partners until that date. Under the current devolution settlement around 80% of the…

14 Sep 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much funding is needed to complete its plans for trunk road construction.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Investment on the trunk road network will be required on a continuing basis to ensure the network is improved and maintained. A total of £6 billion has been invested since 2007 to maintain and improve the trunk road network. Current investment plans total ap…

14 Sep 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will allocate any Barnett consequentials from vehicle excise duty to (a) trunk road construction and (b) the integration of sustainable transport modes and, if so, how much.

Answer · John Swinney: I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-27388 on 18 September 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusine…

4 Sep 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish each Transport Scotland appraisal of Serco NorthLink since July 2012.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Transport Scotland does not hold a formal recorded annual appraisal with any of the operators of its ferry contracts. Formal performance management meetings are held regularly with each operator and on an annual basis, in line with the provisions of the relev…

4 Sep 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government to what extent Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance is informed by European state aid guidelines.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) requires the user to consider a number of constraints such as: Scottish, UK or EU legislation; and Scottish or UK fiscal policy. Depending on the nature of the state aid, further consideration would typicall…

4 Sep 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what vessel (a) deployment and (b) financing options are being considered for Northern Isles ferry services from 2018.

Answer · Derek Mackay: In Scottish Ferry Services: Ferries Plan (2013-2022), published in December 2012, it was noted (chapter 2 paragraph 11) that the current ro-pax vessels chartered from RBS for the Northern Isles ferry services will only be 18 years old in 2018 and it will be f…

4 Sep 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how it will ensure that (a) passenger groups and (b) trade unions are represented on the working group that will examine Northern Isles ferry services to inform the tender process for the next contract.

Answer · Derek Mackay: No decisions have been taken at this stage about the membership of the working group which will oversee the comprehensive study into the Northern Isles ferry services to inform the next tender process. The external consultant appointed by Transport Scotland t…

4 Sep 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) communications and (b) complaints from the public regarding Serco NorthLink ferry services have been received by (i) it and (ii) Transport Scotland since 1 January 2012.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Serco NorthLink commenced operating the Northern Isles ferry services contract on 5 July 2012. Transport Scotland has identified the following items of formal correspondence regarding the Northern Isles ferry services contract operated by Serco NorthLink: Mi…

4 Sep 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the correspondence between it and (a) community representatives, (b) councillors and (c) local authority officials since 1 January 2012 regarding the performance of Serco NorthLink.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The Scottish Government has no current plans to publish correspondence regarding the performance of Serco NorthLink.

4 Sep 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it last met community representatives to discuss the performance of Serco NorthLink.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Transport Scotland chairs the Northern Isles Ferry Services Consultative Forum. The forum acts as a consultative mechanism with key stakeholders coming together at regular intervals to consider issues around the ferry services to their communities. The forum …

4 Sep 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much a standard class passenger cabin on Northern Isles ferry services costs, and how this compares with 1 January 2012.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Serco NorthLink Ferries (SNF) provides passengers with a wide range of on board accommodation opportunities. These range from reclining seats to premium cabins. Since taking on the contract for the Northern Isles Ferry Services, SNF fares have increased in ac…

4 Sep 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what increases in passenger fares there have been on Serco NorthLink ferry services since 1 July 2012.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Passenger fares have increased on Serco NorthLink ferry services since 1 July 2012 by the following: 2.8% on 1 January 2013 2.7% on 1 January 2014 1.5% on 1 January 2015 These increases are in accordance with the contract, consistent with inflation and a…

4 Sep 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how much compensation (a) CalMac Ferries and (b) Serco NorthLink has paid to (i) passengers and (ii) freight companies since 1 July 2012 because of service disruptions, and under what circumstances claims can be made.

Answer · Derek Mackay: (a) For the period from 1 July 2012 to date a total of £305,758 compensation was paid to passengers by CalMac. From 5 July 2012, when Serco NorthLink Ferries commenced operating the Northern Isles Ferry Services, to date a total of £6,485.58 was paid to pass…

4 Sep 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish the correspondence between it and the European (a) Commission and (b) Parliament since May 2011 regarding (i) the tendering of contracts for passenger and freight ferry services and (ii) council regulation EC/3577/92.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The Scottish Government has no current plans to publish this correspondence.

21 Aug 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that many are unfit for the transportation of foodstuffs, what action it can take (a) regarding the quality of and (b) to address the reported shortage in steel export/import storage container units.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Import/export storage containers are provided and located in response to market demands. As such, the quality and provision of such containers are for the private sector to determine.

21 Aug 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the number of HGVs using the road, what its position is on improving the quality and design of the A95.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Improvements to the A95 were considered as part of the Strategic Transport Projects Review. That work concluded that local improvements should be considered, and since 2007 over £20 million has been invested to ensure this key route in the north east of Scotl…

21 Aug 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on encouraging hauliers to make use of (a) jumbo tankers and (b) bulk trailer/tankers.

Answer · Derek Mackay: Haulage services are delivered by the private sector on a commercial basis. Hauliers therefore decide which vehicle, or vehicle combination, to use in line with what is most appropriate for their business. Through the Scottish Freight Logistics Advisory Group…

21 Aug 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on providing further support to HGV training centres to encourage more people to become drivers.

Answer · Derek Mackay: An enthusiastic and trained workforce underpins Scotland's ambition for economic success and our successful Modern Apprenticeship (MA) programme supports this goal by providing individuals with the opportunity to secure industry-recognised qualifications whil…

21 Aug 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on making (a) the fuel additive, Adblue, and (b) commercial natural gas more accessible for HGVs.

Answer · Derek Mackay: The provision of fuels for vehicles is a matter for the commercial sector. However, the Scottish Government remains committed to the decarbonisation of the road transport sector and recognises that a range of technologies will be required. Transport Scotland …

14 Aug 2015 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what action it will take to showcase Nairn as a seaside holiday destination.

Answer · Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Government fully recognises the importance of Nairn as one of Scotland’s top seaside locations, an accolade underlined by both the 22 years it has held Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Seaside Award, and its recent inclusion as one of TripAdvisor’s top …