Parliamentary questions

Richard Leonard

963 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.

9 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many times Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd has time chartered the MV Arrow for service on publicly-contracted ferry routes in Scotland from January 2012 to date, and what the (a) duration and (b) cost was of the time charter in each instance.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) have never chartered the MV Arrow, which is owned by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company. Any charter has been between the publicly funded ferry operator and the owner of the vessel. The following table details, from Ja…

9 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the recommendations in Project Neptune that it is taking forward for public consultation.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Angus Campbell, the Chair of the Ferries Community Board, is now engaging with island communities and ferry users regarding the recommendations of the phase oneProject Neptune report. That consultation is due to finish next month and Mr Campbell will provide …

9 Feb 2023 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the full-time equivalent staffing levels were in Transport Scotland’s Ferries Unit in each year from 2012 to date.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Within Transport Scotland, we only have FTE records available from 2016, due to data retention policies. From 2016 to December 2022, Ferries existed as a team within the Aviation, Maritime, Freight and Canals (AMFC) Directorate. I have provided the FTE separa…

31 Jan 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government how its cross-government co-ordination of Covid Recovery policies is supporting data collection to assess the impact of long COVID.

17 Jan 2023 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the report, Leave no one behind, from The Health Foundation.

21 Dec 2022 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects the replacement booking system for CalMac to be fully operational.

14 Dec 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the actions taken in Forth Valley Royal Hospital following its escalation to stage 4 of the NHS Scotland National Performance Framework for Governance, Leadership and Culture.

13 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to reduce the opening hours of any ScotRail ticket offices.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-13225 on? 13 January 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-commit…

13 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has taken a decision regarding the future of ScotRail ticket office opening hours, following the schedule 17 consultation that was conducted by Abellio ScotRail in January 2022.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: During 2022 and in line with Schedule 17 of the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement, ScotRail undertook a review and consultation of ticket office opening hours and I am currently awaiting advice from my officials at Transport Scotland on this matter.

13 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has any plans to close any ScotRail ticket offices.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: During 2022 and in line with Schedule 17 of the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement, ScotRail undertook a review and consultation of ticket office opening hours. The aim of the review was to establish whether adaptions/changes should be made to reflect changes…

1 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the impact that the restoration of roll-on, roll-off (a) passenger and (b) freight ferry services between Rosyth and Zeebrugge could have on employment in the (i) shipping, (ii) port and (iii) rail freight sectors of the Scottish economy.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government is supportive of the reintroduction of ferry services from Scotland to Europe. My officials in Transport Scotland have engaged with a number of interested parties proposing such services and we will continue to engage with potential o…

1 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to put a contract out to commercial tender for roll-on, roll-off ferry services between Rosyth and Zeebrugge.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government have no plans to tender for a ferry service between Rosyth and Zeebrugge. Subsidy Control rules limit government directly funding international commercial ferry connections beyond initial start-up support. As commercial propositions, w…

1 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with David MacBrayne Ltd regarding the operation of roll-on, roll-off ferry services between Rosyth and Zeebrugge.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government have had no discussions with David MacBrayne Ltd regarding a ferry service between Rosyth and Zeebrugge. Subsidy Control rules mean any route would have to operate on a commercial basis and this would be a matter for David MacBrayne Lt…

1 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the restoration of roll-on, roll-off (a) passenger and (b) freight services between Rosyth and Zeebrugge.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Transport Scotland officials have regular discussions with UK Government Department for Transport officials regarding a number of maritime issues, including direct ferry links to Europe.

1 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with representatives from (a) Forth Ports and (b) Antwerp-Bruges Port Authority regarding the restoration of roll-on, roll-off ferry services between Rosyth and Zeebrugge.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Transport Scotland officials have regular discussions with Forth Ports officials regarding a number of maritime issues, including direct ferry links to Europe. Transport Scotland officials have met with Antwerp-Bruges Port Authority officials twice this year…

1 Dec 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent assessment it has made of the potential environmental impact of restoring roll-on, roll-off (a) passenger and (b) freight ferry services between Rosyth and Zeebrugge.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: The Scottish Government and Transport Scotland have been engaging with stakeholders to identify opportunities and barriers to increasing shipments of exports from Scottish ports and airports directly which could have environmental and economic benefits. This …

29 Nov 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether a vote in favour of strike action by over 80% and over 90% from members of the UCU and EIS trade unions respectively is a democratic mandate for strike action.

16 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-11596 by Jenny Gilruth on 15 November 2022, when it will announce successor arrangements for the continued provision of Caledonian Sleeper services.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: In accordance with the requirements of the Railways Act 1993 and the Scottish Ministers’ Franchising Policy Statement, consideration is being given to the successor arrangement for the continued provision of Caledonian Sleeper services.

16 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether the Caledonian Sleeper service is a commercial asset.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: Caledonian Sleeper is a subsidised Franchise. The Caledonian Sleeper Franchise is of significant social, economic and environmental value to the people of Scotland.

16 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the financial impact of a direct award to Serco Caledonian Sleeper Ltd or a company owned and controlled by the Scottish Government for the operation of the Caledonian Sleeper service from June 2023.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: In accordance with Scottish Ministers franchising policy statement, appropriate assessment of a direct award to Serco Caledonian Sleepers Ltd. is being made and Ministers will inform Parliament when this assessment is concluded.

16 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports that Transport Scotland may entrust the provision of Caledonian Sleeper passenger services to a company owned and controlled by the Scottish Ministers and make a direct award of a public service contract in that regard, and in light of Article 5 (2) or Article 5 (6) …

16 Nov 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assets currently in public ownership it plans to privatise.

14 Nov 2022 · First Minister's Question

To ask the First Minister what the Scottish Government's response is to the report, Health Inequalities in Scotland, by the Fraser of Allander Institute.

8 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-07663 by Jenny Gilruth on 27 April 2022, whether it will publish the programme of activities for the National Rail Conversation.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: After initial planning work with transport partners and stakeholder, Transport Scotland officials are engaged in finalising the programme for the National Rail Conversation, including the first significant public phase, of external stakeholder engagement. Thi…

8 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-07663 by Jenny Gilruth on 27 April 2022, when it will engage with (a) trade unions and (b) the public regarding the National Rail Conversation.

Answer · Jenny Gilruth: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-12057 on 24 November 2022. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-commit…

2 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-11240 by Michael Matheson on 18 October 2022, whether it has considered the role that decommissioning and recycling of Scottish wind turbines could play in Scotland’s offshore wind turbine manufacturing.

Answer · Michael Matheson: The majority offshore wind projects in Scotland have not reached decommissioning stages as of yet with many in pre-development stages, compared to onshore wind, which is more developed. However, the onshore wind decommissioning and recycling of wind turbines …

2 Nov 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-11240 by Michael Matheson on 18 October 2022, whether it has considered how Scotland’s steel industry will need to change as offshore wind construction increases.

Answer · Michael Matheson: We wish to see a sustainable future for the Scottish steel sector, building on the long and proud heritage of steelwork in Scotland. We can see real opportunities for the steel sector in the move to a net zero economy, with Zero Waste Scotland commissioning a…

2 Nov 2022 · General Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether fatal accident inquiries are fit for purpose.

26 Oct 2022 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what its position is regarding the impact in Scotland of calls by rail workers for fair pay settlements.

13 Oct 2022 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-11363 by Jenny Gilruth on 5 October 2022, whether operation of the Caledonian Sleeper will transfer to the operator of last resort from June 2023.