Parliamentary questions
Colin Smyth
990 questions tabled in the Scottish Parliament, most recent first.
20 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with Orkney Islands Council regarding the future procurement of car and passenger carrying ferries on inter-island routes.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Working Group for Orkney Islands Council and Shetland Islands Council internal ferry services meets monthly, most recently on 21 June 2018. The Working Group consists of key stakeholders including both Councils, Transport Scotland, Regional Transport Part…
20 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding the introduction of mandatory international limits on sulphur dioxide emissions from shipping from 1 January 2020.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government wrote to the UK Government in February 2012 regarding the European Commission's then proposal to introduce a directive on the sulphur content of marine fuels, noting the potential impact on the lifeline ferry network. Scottish Minister…
20 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much it has spent on the HySeas III Hydrogen Ferry Consortium.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government has not spent any money on the HySeas III Hydrogen Ferry Consortium. The Scottish Government has supported the various phases of the HySeas project and welcomes the consortium's success in securing 9.3 million in EU Horizon 2020 fundi…
20 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will work with Orkney Islands Council to produce a vessel replacement programme for the inter-island ferry routes that the council operates.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Transport Scotland, in partnership with a Working Group of key stakeholders, jointly commissioned an Inter-Island Transport Study for services within Orkney Islands. The study undertook a Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) appraisal across Orkney’s …
20 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance states regarding the procurement of ferries fuelled by (a) liquefied natural gas and (b) a hydrogen/gas hybrid system for service on the publicly subsidised ferry network.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance is publicly available on the Transport Scotland website: www.transport.gov.scot/media/41507/j9760.pdf .
20 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what recent developments there have been in EU-funded projects in the Scottish shipbuilding industry.
Answer · Jamie Hepburn: Port Glasgow-based Ferguson Marine Engineering Limited has successfully led a European consortium in a successful bid for EU funding support to pave the way for the building and launch of the world’s first sea-going car and passenger ferry fuelled by hydrogen…
19 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-15888 by Humza Yousaf on 10 May 2018, what steps it took to ensure that a conflict of interest was avoided with the private sector (a) ferry operators and (b) consultant appointed by Audit Scotland to advise on the national audit of Transport Scotla…
Answer · Michael Matheson: This is a matter for Audit Scotland, who were wholly responsible for the appointment of members of the advisory group.
19 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it has made of the (a) procurement approach and (b) financing mechanism used by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd for the MV Loch Seaforth, and which of these processes will be considered in its future ferry procurement exercises.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Every two years Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) are subject to a Procurement and Commercial Improvement Programme (PCIP) review by the Scottish Procurement and Commercial Directorate of the Scottish Government. Whilst these reviews do not provide specif…
19 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when the final report from the Ferry Services Procurement Policy Review will be published.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Policy Review is on-going, the final conclusions of which will be published once consideration of a range of complex, legal and financial issues, including State aid, has been completed.
19 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what steps (a) Transport Scotland, (b) Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd and (c) operators of subsidised ferry services in Scotland have taken since 1 November 2017 in response to the recommendations in the Audit Scotland report, Transport Scotland’s ferry services.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Transport Scotland sent its initial response to the Public Audit and Post-Legislative Scrutiny (PAPLS) committee on 20 November 2017. A further letter was sent to the PAPLS committee on 29 January 2018. Transport Scotland officials gave evidence to the PAPLS …
19 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government in which years since July 2012 Serco NorthLink’s annual profit has (a) reached and (b) exceeded the cap in its contract with Transport Scotland for Northern Isles Ferry Services.
Answer · Michael Matheson: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-16777 on 23 May 2018. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusiness/…
19 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what annual savings Serco NorthLink has made from reduced sailings on the Northern Isles Ferry Services contract since July 2012.
Answer · Michael Matheson: In specifying the tender for the 2012-18 Northern Isles ferry services contract, bidders were invited to make their own analysis of demand for the services and propose timetables accordingly. Following consultation with Transport Scotland, Serco NorthLink sub…
19 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-15888 by Humza Yousaf on 10 May 2018, when it was first informed of the membership of the advisory group appointed by Audit Scotland to advise on the national audit of Transport Scotland’s ferry services.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government was informed by Audit Scotland of the membership of Audit Scotland's advisory group in the early part of 2017, prior to the group's one meeting on 3 May 2017. I understand this likely to occurred in February 2017 but unfortunately an e…
18 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which specific functions have been given to the new wildlife and rural crime special constables for the Cairngorms National Park in order to maximise opportunities for tackling wildlife crime.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: Operational decisions on the deployment of the new wildlife and rural crime Special Constables for the Cairngorms National Park are a matter for Police Scotland. Specific functions for these Special Constables will include:Developing relationships and contact…
18 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which stakeholders, other than Police Scotland, were consulted prior to its decision on whether a pilot project to recruit wildlife and rural crime special constables for the Cairngorms National Park would be an effective use of resources.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) were consulted on the scheme and were closely involved in its planning and implementation.
18 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the pilot project to recruit wildlife and rural crime special constables for the Cairngorms National Park, what information it has on what the impact has been of the project in Cumbria on which it is based.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The idea for this pilot project to recruit a cadre of wildlife and rural crime Special Constables was developed following a discussion with Police Scotland, including on the occasional use of Special Constables in Cumbria in support of wildlife crime action. …
18 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what benchmarks it has set for the pilot project to recruit wildlife and rural crime special constables for the Cairngorms National Park, and how any outcomes regarding these benchmarks will be measured.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The benchmarks for the pilot project to recruit and deploy wildlife and rural crime Special Constables in the Cairngorms National Park are currently being finalised by Police Scotland. A key benchmark is likely to be the delivery of training suited to the ro…
18 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which stakeholders will be consulted when assessing the impact of the pilot project to recruit wildlife and rural crime special constables for the Cairngorms National Park.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The impact of the pilot project to recruit and deploy wildlife and rural crime Special Constables in the Cairngorms National Park (CNP) will be discussed with the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA), Community Policing Teams and the CNP project officers…
18 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what the criteria are for assessing the impact of the pilot project to recruit wildlife and rural crime special constables for the Cairngorms National Park, and how this scheme will be extended to other parts of Scotland.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: The criteria for assessing the impact of the pilot project to recruit wildlife and rural crime Special Constables for the Cairngorms National Park are still being developed as set out in the answer to question S5W-17314 on 23 July 2018. All answers to written…
18 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government which non-statutory partners, agencies and other stakeholders are being consulted regarding the delivery of the pilot project to recruit wildlife and rural crime special constables for the Cairngorms National Park, and how they are being involved in the process.
Answer · Mairi Gougeon: I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-17315 on 23 July 2018. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at: ? http://www.parliament.scot/parliamentarybusines…
14 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what improvements have been made to Northern Isles Ferry Services in each year since June 2012; how each of these was funded, and whether these resulted in any benefits for (a) public expenditure on the services, (b) passengers, (c) staff and (d) businesses.
Answer · Michael Matheson: As part of their bid for the Northern Isles Ferry Service Public Service contract, Serco NorthLink Ferries made a number of improvements, details of which are available from the redacted version of the contract, which is on the Transport Scotland website at t…
14 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how much it paid Peter Brett Associates to produce Transport Scotland's Final Report - Appraisal of Options for Specification of 2018 Northern Isles Ferry Services, which was published on 25 April 2018.
Answer · Michael Matheson: The Scottish Government paid Peter Brett Associates £258,852 for work relating to the appraisal of Northern Isles Ferry Services, including the final report published on 25 April 2018.
14 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide an update on the introduction of the Road Equivalent Tariff (RET) scheme on routes in the current contract for Northern Isles Ferry Services.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: Our 2016 manifesto stated we will take action to reduce ferry fares to Orkney and Shetland. We have been working hard to try and meet that commitment as soon as it can be done. On 22 August 2017, I announced plans to introduce reduced passenger and car fares…
14 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether Transport Scotland holds any contracts with external consultants that include the provision of advice on the (a) tender process and (b) contract specifications in the next contract for Northern Isles Ferry Services from October 2019 and, if so, what the (i) duration and (ii) valu…
Answer · Michael Matheson: Transport Scotland currently holds two contracts with external consultants for the provision of advice on the procurement of the ? Northern Isles and the Gourock-Dunoon Ferry Services. Both contracts took effect from April 2018. One contract is valued at £100…
14 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what estimates Transport Scotland has made of the additional contract cost from extending collectively bargained rates of pay to seafarers on all vessels chartered to deliver the next Northern Isles Ferry Services contract.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: Rates of pay for seafarers on all vessels chartered to deliver the next Northern Isles Ferry Services contract will be a matter for tenderers to consider as part of the bidding process.
14 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it plans to put the next contract for Northern Isles Ferry Services out to tender.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The next Northern Isles Ferry Services contract will be tendered as soon as practicably possible.
14 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government how many bids from (a) public and (b) private sector companies it expects to receive for the next contract for Northern Isles Ferry Services.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: It is not possible to estimate the number of bids we will receive. A Contract Notice, to be published shortly, in the Public Contracts Scotland portal and in the Official Journal of the European Union will invite expressions of interest, allowing the Scottish…
13 Jun 2018 · Portfolio Question
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to fill vacancies at NHS Dumfries and Galloway.
8 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will next discuss the public sector bid for the ScotRail franchise with trade unions.
Answer · Humza Yousaf: The Minister for Transport and the Islands will convene a further meeting of the stakeholder reference group after the summer recess to discuss the prospect of a public sector bidder for rail franchises in Scotland. Trade unions, opposition MSPs, and other st…
8 Jun 2018 · Written Question
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with trade unions regarding its Scottish Maritime Strategy, and when it plans to publish this.
Answer · Michael Matheson: Representatives of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers were invited to the Scottish Maritime Forum on 20 June where the Scottish Maritime Strategy was discussed. We will continue to seek views of maritime stakeholders on the Strategy, …