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
No. I am trying to understand whether you had to sign off the 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
Would that have gone to, for example, the cabinet secretary for finance, the Scottish Government’s director general in charge of finance, or the Cabinet?
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 have a quick “yes or no” question for you, Mr Mackay. You mentioned in passing the issue of whether it was a fixed-price contract. Is it your belief that it was a fixed-price contract that you approved?
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
It is. Thank you.
We have received a great deal of conflicting evidence—written and oral—over the past few months. As a committee, it is our duty to try to get to the bottom of that and, I suppose, to exercise a test of reasonableness with regard to what we believe. I thank you for your evidence this morning, which has illuminated some of that situation. On some matters, your evidence has perhaps created more areas where there appears to be conflicting evidence. We appreciate your willingness to appear before us and your frankness. If, on reflection, there are other issues that you want to bring to our attention, please do not hesitate to do that. Thank you for your time.
I bring the public part of the meeting to a close.
11:05 Meeting continued in private until 11:42.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. However, would you not expect it to be quite well known, during that period, that CMAL had identified what was a major problem with the contract, as it was outlined by Ferguson Marine?
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. Our time is limited, so I want to move on to the issue of written authority, about which you said in your written submission to the committee that you
“did not then, nor now, see this as any kind of ‘decision’.”
What did you mean by 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
Well, the vessels are five years late and two and a half times over budget, so maybe that is a reason why you should reflect on it.
I will bring in Willie Coffey.
Public Audit Committee
Section 23 Report: “New vessels for the Clyde and Hebrides: Arrangements to deliver vessels 801 and 802”
Meeting date: 30 June 2022
Richard Leonard
We are coming towards the end of our session, but Craig Hoy and Sharon Dowey have indicated that they want to come back in with a very short question each. I will come to Craig Hoy first.
Public Audit Committee
Section 23 Report: “New vessels for the Clyde and Hebrides: Arrangements to deliver vessels 801 and 802”
Meeting date: 30 June 2022
Richard Leonard
That is why I am interested in your opinion on whether the ferries will be fit for purpose.
Public Audit Committee
Section 23 Report: “New vessels for the Clyde and Hebrides: Arrangements to deliver vessels 801 and 802”
Meeting date: 30 June 2022
Richard Leonard
Is there a conflict of interest, Mr Østergaard?
