Official Report: search what was said in Parliament
The Official Report is a written record of public meetings of the Parliament and committees.
All Official Reports of meetings in the Debating Chamber of the Scottish Parliament.
All Official Reports of public meetings of committees.
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Public Audit Committee
Section 23 Report: “New vessels for the Clyde and Hebrides: Arrangements to deliver vessels 801 and 802”
Meeting date: 8 September 2022
Richard Leonard
We have minutes that CMAL submitted to us that show that.
Public Audit Committee
Section 23 Report: “New vessels for the Clyde and Hebrides: Arrangements to deliver vessels 801 and 802”
Meeting date: 8 September 2022
Richard Leonard
Based on what you have just said, I am a bit confused, because the papers for the CMAL board meeting on 25 August referred to the problem with the builders refund guarantee. That is item 13 on the agenda for that meeting, at which Transport Scotland officials were present. Surely you, as the accountable officer, would have been aware of that major stumbling block.
Public Audit Committee
Section 23 Report: “New vessels for the Clyde and Hebrides: Arrangements to deliver vessels 801 and 802”
Meeting date: 8 September 2022
Richard Leonard
I suppose that the critical point is about the language used. Mr Brannen told us that it would be a decision “entirely” for the transport minister, but the evidence appears to suggest otherwise. Do you have any final comment on that?
Public Audit Committee
Section 23 Report: “New vessels for the Clyde and Hebrides: Arrangements to deliver vessels 801 and 802”
Meeting date: 8 September 2022
Richard Leonard
I will begin by asking you about something quite particular in the written evidence that you submitted to us on 23 June. My question concerns events on 31 August 2015, when an announcement was made that Ferguson’s was being awarded preferred bidder status. In your written submission, you said:
“Press release and coverage at the time would have stated the award would be subject to ongoing negotiations, therefore I do not believe the announcement would have undermined CMAL’s negotiating position.”
However, the BBC piece, which the First Minister tweeted, quoted her as saying:
“This is an excellent result for Ferguson Marine Engineering Limited and I am delighted to name them as preferred tenderer for the contract”.
She also said:
“This contract will see the 150-strong workforce retained and more staff taken on at the shipyard”.
On that date, you said:
“This is a significant investment that proves Scottish shipbuilding can succeed in a competitive market”.
There is no suggestion that it was anything other than a done deal.
Public Audit Committee
Section 23 Report: “New vessels for the Clyde and Hebrides: Arrangements to deliver vessels 801 and 802”
Meeting date: 8 September 2022
Richard Leonard
Okay. So you were back from annual leave on 31 August, but you were not at Port Glasgow?
Public Audit Committee
Section 23 Report: “New vessels for the Clyde and Hebrides: Arrangements to deliver vessels 801 and 802”
Meeting date: 8 September 2022
Richard Leonard
Okay. I will now bring in other members of the committee who have questions.
Public Audit Committee
Section 23 Report: “New vessels for the Clyde and Hebrides: Arrangements to deliver vessels 801 and 802”
Meeting date: 8 September 2022
Richard Leonard
Yes, I am happy to let you answer.
Public Audit Committee
Section 23 Report: “New vessels for the Clyde and Hebrides: Arrangements to deliver vessels 801 and 802”
Meeting date: 8 September 2022
Richard Leonard
But CMAL has also told us that it offered to meet you to talk about its concerns, which were clearly still live and outstanding come that second week in October. Why did you not take up that offer?
Public Audit Committee
Section 23 Report: “New vessels for the Clyde and Hebrides: Arrangements to deliver vessels 801 and 802”
Meeting date: 8 September 2022
Richard Leonard
No, I am asking who, to your knowledge, signed off that voted loan decision.
Public Audit Committee
Section 23 Report: “New vessels for the Clyde and Hebrides: Arrangements to deliver vessels 801 and 802”
Meeting date: 8 September 2022
Richard Leonard
Yes. However, I have a brief question for you. As the cabinet secretary for finance, would you not have been involved in that kind of decision?
