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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-04565

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 22 November 2021
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 3 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will ensure that recognised trade unions in the ferry industry are fully consulted over the design of ferries that Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd (CMAL) will procure in line with the Infrastructure Investment Plan.

Transport Scotland and CMAL fully understand the importance and significance of engaging with the relevant trade unions on ferry services and future vessel contracts. Regular meetings were held with unions by Transport Scotland, CMAL and CalMac, from the outset of the Islay vessels project. Similarly, these bodies have provided unions with progress updates, whilst listening and taking action on their views when appropriate. Transport Scotland will ensure a similar approach will be taken with all future projects.

Question reference: S6W-04564

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 22 November 2021
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 3 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that workers in the ferry industry are trained to (a) operate and (b) re-fuel hydrogen-powered ferries.

Question reference: S6O-00482

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 November 2021
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 2 December 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to encourage a modal shift to increase train passenger numbers and journeys.

Question reference: S6W-03823

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 October 2021
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 16 November 2021

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 this contract since 1 January 2019 to date.

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, value for money and the timely delivery of vessels to serve our island communities.

In line with normal procurement practice, Scottish Government Ministers had no role in the process or in assessing the bids. No meetings between CMAL and Ministers have taken place specifically to discuss the tender process for the new ferries earmarked to replace current vessels serving Islay.

Transport Scotland officials hold regular working group meetings with CMAL along with CalMac and have done so from January 2019 when the project was initiated. These regular meetings are still ongoing.

Question reference: S6W-03826

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 19 October 2021
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 16 November 2021

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.

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 the preferred bidder and the programme is finalised. The investment in these vessels does of course support the communities served by the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service and the jobs associated with the economies on these islands.

Question reference: S6W-03994

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 October 2021
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 15 November 2021

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.

Question reference: S6W-04025

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 October 2021
Current Status: Answered by Kate Forbes on 15 November 2021

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment it made of the proposed case to directly award contracts to Ferguson Marine to build the two new ferries for the Islay route on the Clyde and Hebrides network.

Question reference: S6W-03996

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 October 2021
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 15 November 2021

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.

Question reference: S6W-03995

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 October 2021
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 15 November 2021

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.

Question reference: S6W-03992

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 26 October 2021
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Current Status: Answered by Graeme Dey on 15 November 2021

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

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 allocation for the completion of projects which carry over from Control Period 5 as well as projects commencing in Control Period 6.

As per the Statement of Funds Available, the budget figure for Control Period 6 in Scotland is £4.85 billion. We are currently in the process of considering the basis on which the funding required for Control Period 7 will be determined and expect this to be reflected in a further SOFA publication to align with the commencement of Control Period 7 anticipated as April 2024.

Further information on the SOFA can be accessed via:- sofa-2019-24-25-jan-2018.pdf (transport.gov.scot)