Keep CalMac Public

As an amendment to motion S4M-14942 in the name of David Stewart (Keep CalMac Public), leave out from “and may be privatised” to end and insert “; further notes that the Scottish Government is undertaking a fair, open and transparent procurement exercise in line with strict European Union procurement rules, maritime cabotage regulation and associated guidance; recognises that the current tendering exercise has been improved on, compared with that undertaken by the previous Labour/Liberal Democrat administration, which decided that it was a legal requirement to tender the current contract in 2005; indeed, recalls statements by members of the previous administration that ‘tendering of the Clyde and Hebrides lifeline ferry services is required to protect these vital services’; welcomes the first report from the Independent Procurement Reference Panel, which includes local authority, union, community and industry representatives, and concluded that the tender process has been fair, open and transparent, and believes in supporting and promoting publicly owned and controlled ferry services, evidenced by a record £1 billion investment by the Scottish Government in vessels, ports and ferry services since 2007.”