- Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Friday, 23 November 2012
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Current Status:
Answered by Keith Brown on 29 November 2012
To ask the Scottish Government whether the policy statement on its future approach to ferries procurement referred to on page 4 of its Draft Ferries Plan will describe the tendering process that will be used for the 2016-23 Clyde and Hebrides ferry services contract.
Answer
The final Ferries Plan, due to be published before the end of the year, will set out the Scottish Government's plans for the future of ferry services across Scotland until 2022.
- Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 22 November 2012
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Current Status:
Answered by Keith Brown on 29 November 2012
To ask the Scottish Government whether ministers sought permission from the EU before announcing the postponement of the tendering process for the 2013-19 contract for Clyde and Hebrides ferry services.
Answer
The European Commission has been fully briefed on our plans in relation to the timing of the tender for the next Clyde and Hebrides ferry services contract.
- Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 22 November 2012
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Current Status:
Answered by Keith Brown on 29 November 2012
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has planned for 2013 with representatives of private shipping companies regarding the procurement of ferry services.
Answer
The Scottish Government will continue to engage with a wide range of stakeholders regarding the procurement of ferry services. Currently there are no specific plans to discuss the procurement of ferry services with representatives of private shipping companies.
- Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 22 November 2012
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Current Status:
Answered by Keith Brown on 29 November 2012
To ask the Scottish Government when ministers next plan to meet representatives of Caledonian MacBrayne to discuss ferry services to the Western Isles.
Answer
I am planning to meet with the board of David MacBrayne Limited on 22 January 2013. A range of issues will be discussed at that meeting.
- Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 22 November 2012
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Current Status:
Answered by Keith Brown on 29 November 2012
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has planned for 2013 with (a) European Commission officials and (b) Members of the European Parliament regarding the procurement of ferry services.
Answer
The Scottish Government will continue to proactively engage with European Commission officials on the procurement of ferry services. Currently there are no specific plans to discuss the procurement of ferry services with Members of the European Parliament.
- Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 22 November 2012
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Current Status:
Answered by Keith Brown on 29 November 2012
To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had in 2012 with (a) European Commission officials and (b) Members of the European Parliament regarding the procurement of ferry services.
Answer
There have been a number of recent meetings and exchanges with European Commission officials regarding the procurement of ferry services, including my meeting with Commission officials on 9 October 2012. There have been no discussions with members of the European Parliament.
- Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Thursday, 22 November 2012
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Current Status:
Answered by Keith Brown on 29 November 2012
To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that lifeline ferry services are not re-tendered every six years.
Answer
I have made a number of recent representations to the European Commission urging them to relax the restrictions currently in place on the length of contracts the Scottish Government can award to ferry operators. As recently as 9 October 2012, I met with a senior representative of the European Commission, in Brussels, to press them again on this issue.
- Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 November 2012
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 27 November 2012
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-01449 by Michael Russell on 8 November 2012 (Official Report, c. 13218), who will carry out the audit of college waiting lists and whether this will be on an independent basis.
Answer
Officials from the Scottish Funding Council, Scottish Government analysts and the colleges concerned will work in partnership to undertake this work.
- Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 14 November 2012
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Current Status:
Answered by Michael Russell on 27 November 2012
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S4O-01449 by Michael Russell on 8 November 2012 (Official Report, c. 13218), what the timescale for the audit of college waiting lists will be and when the final report will be published.
Answer
Our aim is to conclude this work as soon as possible; and we shall make available its conclusions. We cannot be precise about timescales until we have a better understanding of the data that is available.
- Asked by: Neil Findlay, MSP for Lothian, Scottish Labour
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Date lodged: Wednesday, 21 November 2012
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Current Status:
Taken in the Chamber on 28 November 2012
To ask the Scottish Government how college reforms will impact on adults with learning difficulties.
Answer
Taken in the Chamber on 28 November 2012