Richard Leonard

25 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will specify any Scottish rail drainage works identified for Control Period 6 that will (a) now not be carried out and (b) be scaled back.

Answer · Graeme Dey: The Scottish Government has provided a significant increase in funding on Control Period 6 for Network Rail to deliver weather resilience improvements, including drainage. Network Rail is responsible for the delivery of these works, as overseen by the Office …

25 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will confirm the initial budget for Scottish rail infrastructure renewals and enhancements for Control Period 6.

Answer · Graeme Dey: The published Statement of Funds Available (SOFA) covers funding available towards Network Rail operations, maintenance and renewal activities in Scotland as well as enhancement projects. The funding available for Control Period 6 as per the SOFA includes all…

25 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the potential risk to the safety of rail passengers and rail workers if planned drainage works are not carried out or scaled back during Control Period 6.

Answer · Graeme Dey: Railway safety is a matter reserved to the UK Government and is overseen by the Office of Rail & Road (ORR), to whom enquiries should be addressed.    

25 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether the budget for Scottish rail infrastructure renewals and enhancements for Control Period 6 has been reduced, and, if so, by how much.

Answer · Graeme Dey: There has been no reduction in Control Period 6 budget for rail infrastructure renewals and enhancements activities in Scotland.  

25 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will specify any Scottish rail infrastructure and enhancements works identified for Control Period 6 that will (a) now not be carried out and (b) be scaled back.

Answer · Graeme Dey: Responsibility for delivery of rail infrastructure renewal works rests with Network Rail as overseen by the Office of Rail and Road. The Scottish Government is aware that there have been some delays in the delivery of some parts of this renewal programme in C…

19 Oct 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what specific targets it will apply to the Islands Bond.

16 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that contracts for the vessel replacement programme outlined in its Infrastructure Investment Plan to 2025-26 are directly awarded to (a) publicly-owned shipyards and (b) other shipyards in Scotland or the rest of the UK.

Answer · Graeme Dey: CMAL conducted an open tender process for delivery of the new vessels intended to service the Islay routes. Under procurement law, direct award of vessels to any shipyard is only permitted under limited circumstances. We have to approach the issue of direct a…

16 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) regarding tendering of the contract for new ferries for the Isles of Islay and Jura, and on which dates (a) Ministers and (b) Transport Scotland officials have met CMAL officials to discuss the tendering process for t…

Answer · Graeme Dey: Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) is a public body and, as such, are bound by the Scottish public procurement regulations and must competitively tender projects of this value. CMAL ensured they followed the procurement regulations; considering quality, va…

16 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the number of jobs that will be supported by the Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) contract for two new ferries for the Isle of Islay.

Answer · Graeme Dey: The responses to the invitation to tender (ITT) for the two new ferries are expected in December 2021. The responses to the ITT will be evaluated with the preferred bidder identified by February 2022, numbers of jobs that will be supported can be advised when…

16 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government for what reasons it is reportedly awarding contracts to Ferguson Marine (Port Glasgow) Ltd to build two new ferries for the Isle of Islay routes on the Clyde and Hebrides network.

16 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that (a) Transport Scotland and (b) Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) fully consult with recognised trade unions on public ferry services on future contracts tendered as part of the vessel replacement programme outlined in its Infrastructure Investme…

Answer · Graeme Dey: Transport Scotland and CMAL fully understand the importance and significance of engaging with the relevant trade unions on ferry services and future vessel contracts. In relation to the Islay vessels project regular meetings were held with unions by Transport…

15 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-02134 by Ivan McKee on 7 September 2021, whether it will provide an update on its review of the UK Government’s Subsidy Control Bill and its impact on public contracts for (a) rail and (b) ferry services in Scotland, and which external organisations…

Answer · Ivan McKee: The process of reviewing the UK Government’s Subsidy Control Bill is ongoing. This is at a relatively high level while we await sight of proposed supporting subordinate legislation and guidance which may impact on specific sectors, such as rail and ferries. …

12 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government on what basis it considers the contract awarded to PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) for the design of the National Care Service to be legally competent, in light of the Contract Award Notice reportedly being “sent for publication” after the expiry of the Framework Agreement.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The PricewaterhouseCoopers contract was awarded to provide recommendations for the National Care Service design authority programme management structure which will support the proposals for community health and social care outlined in the National Care Servic…

12 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it decided to outsource the design of the National Care Service on a procurement framework that had few or no organisations with expertise in the delivery of social care, and, if so, for what reason.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Scottish Government is currently consulting on proposals for the National Care Service to ensure a wide range of views are heard and understood. Co-design with people using services and delivering services is a foundational principle in the National Care …

12 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many organisations approved to be on the Crown Commercial Service framework agreement, RM6008, in the Management Consultancy Framework Two, it considers have expertise in the delivery of social care.

Answer · Kevin Stewart: The Framework represents a range of skills required for major transformation programme support including programme management and governance setup as opposed to social care delivery experience. The Framework was established specifically in recognition of the …

8 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it (a) has taken and (b) plans to take to increase the number of face-to-face appointments with GPs.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Public Health Scotland has published guidance on distancing and infection control measures in health settings changing the 2 metre rule to 1 metre – this means more potential space for patients in waiting rooms where it is appropriate, while continuing to ens…

8 Oct 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what the current rate is for face-to-face appointments with GPs, broken down by NHS board.

Answer · Humza Yousaf: Information on the current number of face to face appointments is not held centrally by the Scottish Government as GP practices are responsible for their own patient appointment and consultation arrangements. We are currently working with stakeholders to impr…

29 Sep 2021 · Portfolio Question

To ask the Scottish Government what role fatal accident inquiries have in the delivery of justice in Scotland.

13 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd has had with (a) CalMac Ferries, (b) shipbrokers and (c) shipowners regarding the charter of vessels to increase carrying capacity on routes in the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract.

Answer · Graeme Dey: On 5 October 2021, the Scottish Government was delighted to announce the purchase, by Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL), of the MV Utne which will provide additional resilience to the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service network. Regular discussions with…

13 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what support it has provided in relation to the Scottish Maritime Cluster’s participation in London International Shipping Week 2021.

Answer · Graeme Dey: I pre-recorded a keynote speech for the Scottish Maritime Cluster’s reception at London International Shipping Week. Transport Scotland officials attended the event at Dover House to highlight the Scottish Government’s continued support for an active relation…

13 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government how many of (a) its and (b) Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd officials are participating in events being held as part of London International Shipping Week 2021.

Answer · Graeme Dey: (a) Four Transport Scotland officials participated in a series of live and virtual events during London International Shipping Week 2021. (b) Three Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd officials attended events, although one of the officials was there in their cap…

9 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-02135 by Graeme Dey on 6 September 2021, whether the consultants are under a contractual obligation to include trade unions organising ferry workers in Scotland in the independent review.

Answer · Graeme Dey: As previously stated the scope of the review involves analysis of the legal constraints and governance arrangements of the existing Tripartite structure of Transport Scotland, Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited and David MacBrayne Limited (including its subsi…

9 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-02135 by Graeme Dey on 6 September 2021, whether it will publish the terms of reference for the independent review, and whether this replaces the policy review it launched on 2 February 2017 into future tendering for ferry service contracts.

Answer · Graeme Dey: Further to our response to Mr Leonard's previous question on this issue (S6W-02579 on 13 September 2021) the Statement of Requirements for the Tripartite review have been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre under BIB number 62666. This revie…

9 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-02135 by Graeme Dey on 6 September 2021, when it anticipates it will publish the consultants' interim findings, and what the value is of its contract with (a) Ernst and Young LLP and (b) MacRoberts LLP for this work.

Answer · Graeme Dey: The full review remains on schedule to publish around the end of the year. The value of the contract was provided in the answer to Mr Leonard's previous question S6W-02579 on 13 September 2021. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on …

9 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide the minutes of any meetings that have taken place between (a) cabinet secretaries, (b) ministers and (c) representatives of Scottish Enterprise and representatives of CalaChem in Grangemouth.

Answer · Ivan McKee: As no timeline has been specified by the member, information from? 22 March 2021 to 22 September 2021 is provided. During this period, no meetings have taken place between Cabinet Secretaries or Ministers with representatives of CalaChem Ltd in Grangemouth. T…

9 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government on which dates meetings have taken place between (a) cabinet secretaries, (b) ministers and (c) representatives of Scottish Enterprise and representatives of CalaChem in Grangemouth.

Answer · Ivan McKee: As no timeline has been specified by the member, information from 22 March 2021 to 22 September 2021 is provided. During this period, no meetings have taken place between Cabinet Secretaries or Ministers with representatives of CalaChem Ltd in Grangemouth. I …

9 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, in light of reports of a proposed loss of 500 jobs at McVities in Glasgow and 100 jobs at CalaChem in Grangemouth, whether it will commit to producing an Industrial Strategy for Scotland that is investment-led, jobs-first, people-centred and manufacturing-driven.

Answer · Ivan McKee: The Scottish Government was deeply concerned to learn of the ongoing risk to jobs at both McVities and CalaChem. The member will be aware of the ongoing engagement between the Scottish Government and McVities, and I have already responded to the member in rel…

9 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government what actions it (a) has taken to date and (b) plans to take to avoid the potential loss of 100 manufacturing jobs at CalaChem in Grangemouth.

Answer · Ivan McKee: The Scottish Government was deeply concerned to learn that CalaChem Ltd is entering into a consultation with its manufacturing services workforce in Grangemouth. Through Scottish Enterprise we have engaged with CalaChem Ltd, and will continue to work with the…

9 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-01651 by Graeme Dey on 18 August 2021, what provisions there are for the recovery of costs in the event of mechanical failure in the time charter agreement between CalMac and the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company for the MV Arrow.

Answer · Graeme Dey: CalMac Ferries Ltd negotiated the time charter of the MV Arrow with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, in line with the industry standard practice. Responsibility for crewing, repairs & maintenance and regulatory compliance rests with the Seatruck, as the …

9 Sep 2021 · Written Question

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-01651 by Graeme Dey on 18 August 2021, how many times the MV Arrow sailed under the terms of the time charter between CalMac and the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company that ended on 9 September 2021.

Answer · Graeme Dey: CalMac Ferries Ltd negotiated a time charter for the MV Arrow with the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company for the 8 weeks, commencing 24 July and terminating on 9 September 2021. Whilst operating the overnight Ullapool – Stornoway freight service, 70 sailings w…