- Asked by: Meghan Gallacher, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 June 2021
Submitting member has a registered interest.
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Current Status:
Answered by Clare Haughey on 16 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government when the roll-out of 1,140 hours of early learning and childcare across all 32 local authorities will be completed.
Answer
The roll out of 1140 hours will be completed across all 32 local authorities in August 2021 when the statutory duty on local authorities comes into force.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 June 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 16 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will make a statement on its plans to (a) charter or (b) purchase one or more vessels to support the existing Caledonian MacBrayne fleet.
Answer
In relation to short term issues, we are actively exploring opportunities for chartering additional tonnage, including consideration of the suitability of the MV Pentalina and looking at other credible, affordable and viable options to improve resilience.
- Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 June 2021
Submitting member has a registered interest.
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 16 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether Abellio ScotRail requires ministerial permission to enter pay talks with the recognised trade unions regarding the 2021 pay award for ScotRail staff and, if so, whether this permission has been (a) requested and (b) granted.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-00322 on 16 June 2021. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers
- Asked by: Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 June 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Clare Haughey on 16 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with the UK Government regarding an inquiry into the historical practice of forced adoption.
Answer
I have recently written to Ms Vicky Ford MP, Parliamentary Under- Secretary of State for Children and Families, to request a meeting to discuss this issue.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 June 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 16 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will introduce a dedicated freight vessel on the Stornoway-Ullapool route.
Answer
As I have confirmed to Parliament, I am open to constructive and viable suggestions for improving matters and we are actively exploring opportunities for chartering additional tonnage to increase resilience across the network.
Chartering an additional freight vessel for the Stornoway-Ullapool route from June to September, in order to free up deck capacity for resident and visitor vehicles, was identified as a short-term option in recent Outer Hebrides Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG) study report. However, charter options for such a freight vessel have not been readily available. We would also need to carefully consider the business case around charter, purchase or new build of a vessel as part of work for the Islands Connectivity Plan.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 June 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 16 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will make a statement on the costs incurred as a result of the MV Loch Seaforth's engine failure, and where the responsibility for this sits.
Answer
The cause of the breakdown remains subject to ongoing investigation. It would be inappropriate to comment further until that investigation is complete.
- Asked by: Rhoda Grant, MSP for Highlands and Islands, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 June 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 16 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will meet with representatives of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to discuss (a) short-term and (b) medium-term proposals for the improvement of ferry services (i) to, (ii) from and (ii) within the Western Isles.
Answer
Transport Scotland (TS) and the Scottish Government Islands Team meet regularly with elected members and officers of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar to discuss a range of ferries issues including future planning and have also engaged on the Comhairle's Local Transport Strategy. The Comhairle were also a partner in a recent study, commissioned and funded by TS, of future options for ferry services to, from and within the Outer Hebrides. The Comhairle has produced a paper setting out proposals for ferry service improvements and future vessel investments and an initial meeting to discuss this with government officials has been arranged.
- Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 June 2021
Submitting member has a registered interest.
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 16 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason the Abellio ScotRail pay awards for 2020 and 2021 remain outstanding, and whether it will meet representatives of the recognised trade unions to discuss this.
Answer
I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-00322 on 16 June 2021. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers
- Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 June 2021
Submitting member has a registered interest.
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 16 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-36144 by Michael Matheson on 23 March 2021, by what date the (a) Abellio ScotRail and (b) Serco Caledonian Sleeper Emergency Measures Agreement performance and management fees will be published on the Transport Scotland website.
Answer
It was Transport Scotland’s intention to publish the Emergency Measures Agreements 1 (March – September 2020) performance and management fee values for (a) Abellio ScotRail and (b) Serco Caledonian Sleepers Ltd in April 2021.
However, due to the pre-election period this was not possible and Transport Scotland now intend to publish this information in due course upon completion of an appropriate diligence process to establish the correct contractual amounts.
- Asked by: Liam Kerr, MSP for North East Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 June 2021
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Current Status:
Answered by Graeme Dey on 16 June 2021
To ask the Scottish Government to which shipyards it proposes to award contracts to build the ferries that will replace those in the current CalMac fleet.
Answer
It is too early to say where future vessels to replace the current CalMac fleet will be built. These replacement programmes will follow national procurement rules; ensuring quality, value for money and the timely delivery of vessels to serve our island communities.
On 8 June 2021 I announced that the process to build a new ferry for Islay was formally under way. The Scottish Government look forward to continuing to work with key stakeholders to develop programmes for major vessels and small vessels – investing at least £580m in our ferry networks over the next five years.