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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: S5O-02484

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 24 October 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 31 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government when it will next meet North Ayrshire Council.

Question reference: S5W-19075

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 September 2018
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 24 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5T-01217 by Derek Mackay on 18 September 2018 (Official Report, c. 7), when (a) the cabinet secretary was and (b) its officials were first advised that there was an overrun of costs on the contract for Ferguson Marine to build the ferries, and whether it will publish any correspondence pertaining to this.

I refer the member to the answer to question S5W-19044 on 23 October 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/28877.aspx .

In terms of correspondence, on 16 August 2018, my colleague Michael Matheson wrote to the Convenor of the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee advising him of the new delivery dates for the new ferries. This letter is available on the Parliament's website, which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/CurrentCommittees/109195.aspx /CurrentCommittees/109195.aspx .

Question reference: S5W-19043

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 September 2018
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 23 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5T-01217 by Derek Mackay on 18 September 2018 (Official Report, c. 7), in light of the cabinet secretary's comment that, "of course due diligence has been conducted", whether it will publish details of this.

Lending by Scottish Ministers is governed by a series of controls that ensure the public purse is protected. This includes appropriate due diligence supported by independent third-party verification on matters commercial and legal.

The nature of information disclosed to the Scottish Government in the course of commercial negotiations and due diligence is sensitive and confidential. The Government has a duty of care to protect such sensitive commercial information and not to disclose material which would (or would be likely to) prejudice substantially the commercial interests of any person or organisation.

The Scottish Ministerial Code states that Ministers must not ordinarily divulge either the source or content of legal advice. I am able to confirm on this occasion that the Scottish Government has taken appropriate legal advice on this matter.

Question reference: S5W-19039

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 September 2018
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 23 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5T-01217 by Derek Mackay on 18 September 2018 (Official Report, c. 7), what advice it received regarding whether the loan to Ferguson Marine (a) was legal, in particular with regard to state EU state-aid rules and (b) constituted a loan under commercial terms.

Question reference: S5W-19044

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 September 2018
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 23 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5T-01217 by Derek Mackay on 18 September 2018 (Official Report, c. 7), what knowledge it had of the overruns regarding the ferries, and when it was made aware of these issues.

Question reference: S5W-19326

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 09 October 2018
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 22 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government whether the First Minister has accepted an invitation from the President of the Government of Catalonia to visit Barcelona, and, if so, what the total estimated cost of the visit is projected to be.

The First Minister of Scotland and the President of Catalonia met at the First Minister’s official residence in Edinburgh on the evening of 11 July. It was a cordial meeting aimed at strengthening the ties of friendship between Scotland and Catalonia. The President extended an invitation to visit Barcelona. The First Minister agreed in principle to this, however, plans or preparations for any visit are not yet underway. Therefore, details or any estimated costs for this visit cannot be provided.

Question reference: S5W-19097

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 27 September 2018
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 19 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, in the event that David MacBrayne Limited or one of its subsidiaries submits a bid for the Gourock to Dunoon public service obligation (PSO), whether the bidding company will be bound to follow the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) and public procurement procedures for the acquisition of new vessels.

Question reference: S5W-19096

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Thursday, 27 September 2018
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 19 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government when the Gourock Dunoon Ferry Services Steering Group will meet to discuss the services' procurement process, and whether the group will be able to submit views on the approach used in the invitation to tender.

Question reference: S5W-19119

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 28 September 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 12 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what impact the reported pay disputes between Transport Scotland and the contractor are having on the opening of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR).

There are no disputes impacting on the opening of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR). While Aberdeen Roads Limited (ARL) reports that the project is on target to open in late autumn 2018, they are unable to estimate a precise opening date while remedial work continues at the River Don Crossing.

Construction issues such as that experienced on the structure over the Don are regrettable but not unusual on a project of this scale and complexity. These defects must be taken seriously, investigated thoroughly and remedied appropriately. The cost of these repairs will be borne by the contractor and the public purse will not be impacted by this work, as payment is made as sections of the road become available for traffic.

I understand and share the public frustration that the road has not yet opened, and can confirm that Transport Scotland is doing everything possible to deliver the benefits of the new road at the earliest opportunity, once the outstanding repairs are properly completed.

I have instructed Transport Scotland to investigate the potential to open the 31.5km section of new road from Craibstone to Stonehaven and Charleston as soon as possible, while remedial work at the Don progresses. Discussions have taken place with ARL and they are currently progressing this matter through the necessary governance channels within their organisations. It is right and important that ARL considers this matter carefully; but I urge them to conclude their deliberations swiftly so the people of the north east can start to benefit from the new road as soon as possible.

Question reference: S5W-19045

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 September 2018
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 12 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5T-01217 by Derek Mackay on 18 September 2018 (Official Report, c. 7), how many of the 400 jobs associated with the work on the ferries are seasonal or temporary, and what information it has regarding how many of the employees are domiciled or resident in Scotland.