Parliamentary questions
Richard Leonard
963 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
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 total volume of freight the MV Arrow carried during the time charter between CalMac and the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company that ended on 9 September 2021.
Answer · Graeme Dey: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-02907 on 28 September 2021. 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-commi…
7 Sep 2021 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what measures have been put in place to keep prison officers and prisoners safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2 Sep 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which national public sector organisations tendered for PPE, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, in the financial year 2020-21; which companies or organisations have been awarded contracts from these tender exercises; where these companies or organisations are based, and what the finan…
Answer · Humza Yousaf: All pandemic PPE procurement undertaken by public sector organisations has been conducted in line with the relevant public procurement legislation and policy. In addition, direct awards have taken place using procedures outlined in Regulation 33 within the Pu…
1 Sep 2021 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on its commitment to supporting the building of affordable homes for rent.
26 Aug 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to build a case for making a direct award of the next Clyde and Hebrides ferry services contract to an in-house operator, as stated on page 28 of the Scottish Government Ferry Services Procurement Policy, Interim Report - Emerging Findings, published in December 2017.
Answer · Graeme Dey: The Scottish Ministers are committed to ensure the most efficient and best value arrangement to deliver our key lifeline ferry services. An independent review of the current legal structures and governance arrangements around the provision of ferry services i…
26 Aug 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide details of when the contract between Transport Scotland and Jacobs UK Limited, to review transport governance structures in Scotland, was signed, and what the duration of the contract is.
Answer · Graeme Dey: Jacobs were awarded the review of transport governance structures in Scotland, which formed part of the National Transport Strategy review, through a Task Order. This was progressed as a call off from the previously signed Agreement as a supplier for one of t…
26 Aug 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information it has regarding whether the (a) individuals and (b) organisations on the Ferry Industry Advisory Group have been consulted, as part of the current review of transport governance structures in Scotland, being carried out by Jacobs UK Limited for Transport Scotland.
Answer · Graeme Dey: Scottish Government officials engaged ferry stakeholders, including some representatives also on the Ferry Industry Advisory Group, as part of the National Transport Strategy review, which included the review of transport governance. I refer the member to th…
26 Aug 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what information is has regarding whether Jacobs UK Limited has consulted (a) trade unions and (b) other stakeholders, as part of its contract with Transport Scotland to review transport governance structures in Scotland.
Answer · Graeme Dey: A collaborative approach including stakeholder engagement was undertaken by Jacobs in taking forward the work to consider the roles and responsibilities of the bodies within Scotland as part of its review of transport governance structures. Transport Scotland…
26 Aug 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-01420 by Graeme Dey on 6 August 2021, whether it will provide details of (a) the terms of reference for the independent review and (b) the value of the contract between Transport Scotland and the consultants for this work.
Answer · Graeme Dey: The file including consultancy requirements for the independent review has been placed in the Scottish Parliament Information Centre under BIB number 62666. The contract between Transport Scotland and the appointed consultant, Ernst & Young, is valued at £1…
11 Aug 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many (a) MSPs, (b) MPs and (c) councillors have written to it since March 2020 on behalf of a company offering assistance with the making and supply of PPE; how many of these requests were approved, and with which of these companies did it subsequently enter into a (i) contract and (…
Answer · Humza Yousaf: From March 2020 to 25 August 2021, the Scottish Government has received 26 offers from MSPs (25), MPs (0) and councillors (1) on behalf of a company offering assistance with the making and supply of PPE. Of these offers, 20 were made on behalf of named compan…
11 Aug 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which companies have supplied PPE as part of a Scottish Government contract since March 2020, what the value of each contract was, and whether each contract followed the normal procurement arrangements.
Answer · Ivan McKee: From the Period March 2020 – July 2021 the following companies have supplied personal protective equipment (PPE) as part of a Scottish Government Contract: Date of Award Contract (Title or Description) Supplier Name Contract Value Narrative detail (e.g. …
6 Aug 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-01420 by Graeme Dey on 6 August 2021, what plans it has to review the governance structures at Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL).
Answer · Graeme Dey: Scottish Ministers advised the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee throughout the course of their inquiry leading to publication in Dec 2020 of its report “The Procurement and Construction of Ferry Vessels in Scotland” that, as part of a drive for contin…
6 Aug 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-01420 by Graeme Dey on 6 August 2021, which organisation is carrying out the independent review; when the contract for this work was signed by Transport Scotland, and whether it will publish the terms of reference for this review.
Answer · Graeme Dey: These issues were addressed in my response to question S6W-01417 on 6 August 2021 and the name of the consultants, Ernst and Young LLP, was highlighted in our letter to the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee of 11 March 2021. The contract was signed on …
6 Aug 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-01419 by Graeme Dey on 6 August 2021, by what date it expects to report to the Scottish Parliament on the outcome of its consideration of the UK Government’s draft legislation.
Answer · Ivan McKee: The UK Government introduced its Subsidy Control Bill on 30 June 2021. There is a considerable amount of detail which we are reviewing with a view to bringing a Legislative Consent Motion forward by the end of September.
6 Aug 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-01202 by Graeme Dey on 6 August 2021, whether it will list (a) the seven core and (b) any additional shipbrokers that Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) are working with to identify suitable tonnage for charter on routes in the contract for C…
Answer · Graeme Dey: The information requested is held by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd who considers this to be commercially sensitive and that its release could make it more challenging to achieve value for money for Scottish taxpayers. In addition the Scottish Government coul…
20 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) its and (b) Transport Scotland's officials have had discussions with Professor Iain Docherty regarding his report, Scotland’s Railway after the pandemic, and, if so, on (i) how many occasions and (ii) which dates.
Answer · Graeme Dey: (a) Scottish Government and (b) Transport Scotland officials have (i) & (ii) not held any discussions with Professor Iain Docherty in relation to his Scotland’s Railway after the pandemic report.
20 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the suggestions in the report, Scotland’s Railway after the pandemic, by Professor Iain Docherty, on behalf of Abellio ScotRail, (a) that ScotRail services should decrease by at least 10% compared to pre-pandemic levels, (b) regarding whether the provision …
Answer · Graeme Dey: Transport Scotland, as part of the Rail Recovery Task Force, uses Transport Focus’s passenger pulse research to identify the changing priorities and requirements of rail passengers during and post Covid-19 which also provide a platform to assess the scale and…
20 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what remuneration has been paid, or is due, to Professor Iain Docherty in relation to his report, Scotland’s Railway after the pandemic, and from which budget this has been funded.
Answer · Graeme Dey: Any remuneration paid to Professor Iain Docherty in relation to the production of his Scotland’s Railway after the pandemic report is a matter between Mr Docherty and Abellio ScotRail.
20 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether its permission was required for Abellio ScotRail to commission Professor Iain Docherty to produce the report, Scotland’s Railway after the pandemic.
Answer · Graeme Dey: Permission from the Scottish Government was not required by Abellio ScotRail to commission Professor Iain Docherty to produce the Scotland’s Railway after the pandemic report.
20 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the clause in the Serco Caledonian Sleeper franchise that permits the operator, from 1 April 2022, to seek adjustments to the financial terms of the Franchise Agreement, or exit the contract, can also be instigated by the Scottish Government.
Answer · Graeme Dey: The clause in the Serco Caledonian Sleepers Ltd franchise that permits the operator, from 1 April 2022, to seek adjustments to the financial terms of the Franchise Agreement, or exit the contract, cannot be instigated by the Scottish Government. As per the Fr…
20 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the additional cost to CalMac Ferries of chartering the MV Arrow in line with CalMac’s collective bargaining agreements with the recognised seafarer unions.
Answer · Graeme Dey: The Scottish Government will provide funding to support the chartering the MV Arrow by CalMac Ferries Ltd to assist the resilience on the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services (CHFS) network. The cost of the current time charter negotiated between CalMac Ferries …
20 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it had with CalMac Ferries regarding the employment conditions applicable to the time charter of the MV Arrow.
Answer · Graeme Dey: The Scottish Government agreed with CalMac Ferries Limited (CFL) that the crew of the MV Arrow, though not covered by CFL terms and conditions or collective bargaining agreements, should receive the National Living Wage for the duration of the charter .
20 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the status is of the Fair Work Framework in negotiations between Transport Scotland and CalMac Ferries regarding the chartering of new tonnage from private shipowners.
Answer · Graeme Dey: The terms and conditions of any employees accompanying a time chartered vessel are the responsibility of the vessel’s owner/operator. When necessary the Scottish Government has ensured that crews working on vessels time chartered by CalMac Ferries Ltd receive…
20 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which company employs the crew of the MV Arrow during CalMac Ferries' time charter of the vessel on the Ullapool-Stornoway route.
Answer · Graeme Dey: The crew of the MV Arrow, whilst on a time charter with CalMac Ferries Ltd, will be employed by the vessel owner Seatruck Ferries Ltd.
20 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which organisations were consulted during negotiations regarding the time charter agreement between CalMac Ferries and the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company for the MV Arrow.
Answer · Graeme Dey: The Scottish Government were not part of the negotiations regarding the time charter agreement of the MV Arrow. These were undertaken between CalMac Ferries Ltd and the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.
15 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the alleged findings of the report, External Review – Culture and Governance, Emergency Department, Forth Valley Royal Hospital, what (a) action it has taken and (b) discussions it has had with NHS Forth Valley to ensure that the A&E department at the hospital has had suffic…
Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-01559 on ? 24 August 2021. 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…
15 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to ensure that people are not being directed away from NHS A&E departments without a proper clinical assessment.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-01559 on ? 24 August 2021. 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…
15 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the alleged findings of the report, External Review – Culture and Governance, Emergency Department, Forth Valley Royal Hospital, what (a) action it is taking and (b) discussions it is having with NHS Forth Valley to ensure that people who had not been informed of mistakes in…
Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-01559 on ? 24 August 2021. 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…
15 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its response is to the alleged findings of the report, External Review – Culture and Governance, Emergency Department, Forth Valley Royal Hospital, that some people were directed away from the A&E department at the hospital, often to minor injuries or a pharmacy, without a proper cl…
Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-01559 on ? 24 August 2021. 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…
15 Jul 2021 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the alleged findings of the report, External Review – Culture and Governance, Emergency Department, Forth Valley Royal Hospital, what (a) action it is taking and (b) discussions it is having with NHS Forth Valley to (i) protect and (ii) offer independent support to staff at …
Answer · Humza Yousaf: I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-01559 on ? 24 August 2021. 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…