Chamber and committees

That is something for the committee to ponder on—whether it is appropriate for a Government-awarded contract to employ an organisation that dodges paying national insurance. I make no comment. The committee will have to decide on that.

Jackie Dunbar, I think that you have a question and then I will open it up to anyone else who wants any follow-ups.

As there are no other questions from committee members, I thank our witnesses for coming in this morning and informing us about things that are going on and their views on the future.

We now move into private session.

Good morning, everyone, and welcome to the sixth meeting in 2023 of the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee.

Agenda item 1 is to decide whether to take agenda items 5 and 6 in private. Under agenda item 5, the committee will consider evidence that we will hear under agenda item 4 as part of our inquiry into a modern and sustainable ferry service for Scotland and, under agenda item 6, the committee will consider its work programme. Do members agree to take agenda items 5 and 6 in private?

Members indicated agreement.

Do members wish to make any contributions at this stage?

The result of the division is: For 6, Against 0, Abstentions 1.

Motion agreed to,

That the Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee recommends that the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 (Register of Persons Holding a Controlled Interest in Land) Amendment Regulations 2023 [draft] be approved.

Our next item is our ninth evidence session as part of our inquiry into a modern and sustainable ferry service for Scotland. I refer members to the papers for this item.

For our first panel today, the committee will turn its attention to how ferry services are delivered internationally. The committee will hear from two experts, who join us remotely from Norway, about Norway’s approach to ferry provision and the lessons that Scotland can learn from their experience. On behalf of the committee, I am pleased to welcome Dag Hole, the director of ferry management at the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, and Harald Høyem, a transport analyst from Asplan Viak. I hope that I have pronounced that right. Thank you for accepting our invitation. We are delighted to have you here.

Each member will ask a series of questions. The first question is from me on the bundling of ferry services. I understand that Norway bundles ferry services into small bundles. How long does the process of tendering take, and how many bidders are normally involved?

Would Dag Hole like to start off on that? Who would like to answer first? Let us not have a fight but, if one of you raises your hand, I will bring you in. Neither of you has indicated, so Dag Hole is definitely going first.

We can hear you, but I am afraid that my hearing is not as good as it was when I was born. I am asking the sound technician to turn up the volume so that I can hear you better.

Perfect. Thank you.

Thank you. Does Harald Høyem want to add anything to that?

Okay. Do you bundle the ferry services into passengers and freight, or do you separate the two?