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Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S6W-08479

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 May 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 25 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether the contract for the design of Ro-Pax vessels that was issued for tender by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd on 3 May 2022 commissions designs for (a) large and (b) small ferries that are primarily for service on the (i) Clyde and Hebrides, (ii) Northern Isles and (iii) inter-island public ferry routes.

The contract notice ‘Consultancy Services for the Concept Design of a Ro-Pax Vessel’ is for the design of a ‘Ro-Pax’ vessel to serve the Mallaig to Lochboisdale route as part of the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service.

More information on this procurement is available at: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAY447363

More information on the project is available at: https://www.cmassets.co.uk/project/mallaig-lochboisdale/

Question reference: S6W-08478

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 May 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jenny Gilruth on 25 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that (a) CalMac Ferries, (b) passengers and (b) the recognised trade unions will be consulted on the design of (i) accommodation berths, (ii) catering facilities, (iii) engine and (iv) other operational aspects of the Ro-Pax vessels that Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd has commissioned through the contract issued on 3 May 2022.

The engagement processes for the project are already well established, ensuring all interested parties and stakeholders are able to contribute throughout the project’s development. They will follow the recent example of the successful engagement carried out as part of the New Islay Vessel Project which this project follows.

CMAL, liaising with Mallaig Harbour Authority and Transport Scotland, organised a webinar (16 March 2022) to engage with stakeholders on the project and its progression which included a question and answer session.

CalMac Ferries Limited (CFL) is one of the partners in the tripartite working group responsible for this project and actively contribute to the decision making process on a range of matters. They are also responsible for ensuring there is input from the trade unions.

More information on this procurement is available at: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAY447363

More information on the project is available at: https://www.cmassets.co.uk/project/mallaig-lochboisdale/

Question reference: S6W-08513

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 12 May 2022
Current Status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 19 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government when it will undertake research into the impacts of Non-Methane Volatile Organic Compound (NMVOC) emissions from Scotch whisky maturation, as indicated by the Environment and Forestry Directorate.

Question reference: S6W-08235

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 April 2022
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 11 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with (a) Cerulean Winds and (b) NOV Inc regarding fair work and supporting domestic supply chains, in light of the reported Memorandum of Understanding signed with Lamprell to provide fabrication, assembly and outfitting for three 1GW floating windfarms off the west coast of Shetland and in the central North Sea.

The Scottish Government has not held discussions with Cerulean Winds nor NOV Inc as they do not have consented developments under construction. It is therefore premature to discuss contracts for projects which do not yet exist. Developers will be required to submit a Supply Chain Development Statement with bids for the Innovation and Targeted Oil and Gas decarbonisation (INTOG) leasing rounds when it opens this year. Similarly to ScotWind, developers will need to outline the supply chain activity they commit to undertaking within Scotland, the UK and overseas.

Question reference: S6W-08236

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 April 2022
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 11 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that offshore renewables jobs are created in Scotland.

The Scottish Government is determined to maximise the economic opportunity for the Scottish supply chain from our offshore wind potential.

We will drive forward offshore wind skills development – working with stakeholders to focus on the opportunities for diversification and skills transfer from our oil and gas sector, in line with our commitment to a Just Transition.

The introduction of ScotWind’s Supply Chain Development Statements demonstrates how serious the Scottish Government is about holding developers to account if they do not honour their supply chain commitments and create green jobs .

Question reference: S6W-08234

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 April 2022
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 11 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether (a) adherence to Fair Work First criteria and (b) commitments to supporting domestic supply chains are set out as conditions for applicants for offshore wind, wave and tidal energy licences.

In determining an application for a marine licence (under the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010 and Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009) the Scottish Ministers must have regard to protection of the environment and human health, prevention of interference with legitimate uses of the sea and such other matters as the Scottish Ministers consider relevant. Marine licences do not include conditions in relation to Fair Work First criteria and commitments to supporting domestic supply chains. Such conditions cannot be applied to s.36 consents issued under the Electricity Act 1989 for the construction, operation or extension of generating stations either.

ScotWind applicants were required to submit a Supply Chain Development Statement (SCDS) setting out the anticipated level and location of supply chain impact for their projects. We have now seen these statements yield commitments by developers to invest an average projection of £1.5bn in Scotland across each of the 17 ScotWind offshore wind projects. Developers can update their Statements throughout the development phase. Failure to deliver the commitments laid out in the final SCDS can trigger remedies ranging from financial penalties to an inability to progress to seabed lease.

Question reference: S6W-08233

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Thursday, 28 April 2022
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 10 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on whether there are any roundtable forums for self-employed inventors to meet relevant stakeholders in Scotland.

The Scottish Government does not facilitate any forums or roundtables for self-employed inventors. We are working with industry and key stakeholders to develop a new innovation strategy to ensure businesses, people and institutions are ready to meet the challenges and opportunities we face over the next 10 years. We will ensure the support we provide is easy to access and focused on areas of greatest opportunity to meet our vision in becoming a world leading, innovation nation.

Question reference: S6O-01060

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 04 May 2022
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 11 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve the effectiveness of fatal accident inquiries into deaths in custody.

Question reference: S6W-07859

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 05 April 2022
Current Status: Answered by Jamie Hepburn on 4 May 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will publish any findings of Strathesk Resolutions as a result of its mediation processes between employers and trade unions in Scotland’s colleges.

The Scottish Government has not commissioned Strathesk Resolutions to undertake a mediation process between employers and trade unions.

The organisation has undertaken a Lessons Learned exercise to identify factors that have led to dispute in the college sector in recent years, and has provided recommendations on the future operations of national bargaining in Scotland.

The report, alongside the Scottish Government's response, will be published in due course.

Question reference: S6W-07986

Asked by: Katy Clark, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 20 April 2022
Current Status: Answered by Ivan McKee on 29 April 2022

To ask the Scottish Government whether it plans to hold any discussions with (a) Social Security Scotland and (b) the Department for Work and Pensions regarding redundancies, redeployment or relocation of staff affected by the reported planned office cuts at eight sites across Scotland.