Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-04170

Asked by: Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 31 October 2016
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 14 November 2016

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01092 by Humza Yousaf on 21 July 2016, in what year of the franchise agreement the break clause cn be activated and what period of notice must be given to the (a) franchisee and (b) potential bidders before activating it.

No later than 6 months prior to the fifth anniversary of the contract (by 30 September 2019), either party (i.e. ScotRail or Scottish Ministers) can serve a formal notice stating their intention to not continue the contract beyond the 7^th anniversary of the contract (31 March 2022).

Under the terms of the Franchise Agreement, there is no period of notice stated in relation to any potential bidders for a future franchise.

Question reference: S5W-04172

Asked by: Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 31 October 2016
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 14 November 2016

To ask the Scottish Government whether Transport Scotland remained the operator of last resort for passenger rail services when the current ScotRail franchise agreement started.

Yes. Scottish Ministers are the relevant franchising authority for the rail passenger services provided under the ScotRail Franchise Agreement. If that agreement ended without a further franchise agreement having been entered into, Scottish Ministers would be under a duty to provide or secure the provision of those services. That duty, is set out in section 30 of the UK Government Railways Act 1993.

Question reference: S5W-04056

Asked by: Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 November 2016
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 14 November 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what its latest estimate is of the cost of improvement works to Ardrossan Harbour to accommodate new ferries on the Ardrossan-Brodick route operated by CalMac Ferries.

As the scope of any works to be carried out at Ardrossan has not yet been determined no estimate has been made by Scottish Government.

I have asked Transport Scotland to commission a STAG-style study to assess the options for the mainland port for the Arran service.

This study will look at potential work to improve Ardrossan Harbour, as well as the proposal from Associated British Ports to use an upgraded facility at Troon.

We will engage closely with all relevant stakeholders in analysing the various berthing options on the mainland as well as wider socio-economic factors. I will travel to Arran to speak to the local community and hear their views on the service. I will also meet with both local councils and representatives of the local communities in Ayrshire, as well as Peel Ports and Associated British Ports.

Question reference: S5W-04057

Asked by: Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 November 2016
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 14 November 2016

To ask the Scottish Government when the Ardrossan Harbour Taskforce will next meet, and whether it will publish the terms of reference for the taskforce’s work.

No date has yet been set for the next meeting of the Ardrossan Harbour Taskforce pending the outcome of the STAG-style study currently being commissioned by Transport Scotland on the options for the mainland port for the Arran service.

This study will look at potential work to improve Ardrossan Harbour, as well as the proposal from Associated British Ports to use an upgraded facility at Troon.

We will engage closely with all relevant stakeholders in analysing the various berthing options on the mainland as well as wider socio-economic factors. I will travel to Arran to speak to the local community and hear their views on the service. I will also meet with both local councils and representatives of the local communities as well as Peel Ports and Associated British Ports

The terms of reference of the task force were published following the first meeting and can be found on the Transport Scotland website. http://www.transport.gov.scot/water/ardrossan-harbour-taskforce

Question reference: S5W-03804

Asked by: Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 17 October 2016
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 10 November 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what the total additional cost to employers will be of implementing its commitment to pay all care workers in adult social care at least the living wage.

Question reference: S5W-03803

Asked by: Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 17 October 2016
Current Status: Answered by Shona Robison on 10 November 2016

To ask the Scottish Government how many people will benefit from its commitment to pay all care workers in adult social care at least the living wage.

Question reference: S5W-04177

Asked by: Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 31 October 2016
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 7 November 2016

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01092 by Humza Yousaf on 21 July 2016, whether it will consult the public regarding the preparatory work on the public sector bid that it is conducting.

Question reference: S5W-03607

Asked by: Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 10 October 2016
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 7 November 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what plans it has to roll out wifi to more train (a) routes and (b) stations.

Question reference: S5O-00323

Asked by: Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 02 November 2016
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 November 2016

To ask the Scottish Government what recent discussions it has had with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde regarding plans to close the children's ward at the Royal Alexandra Hospital and the birthing unit at Inverclyde Royal Hospital.

Question reference: S5W-03609

Asked by: Neil Bibby, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 10 October 2016
Current Status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 2 November 2016

To ask the Scottish Government how many complaints ScotRail has received in the last 12 months regarding wifi services, broken down by month.

Month	Number of wifi complaints
September 2015	12
October 2015	19
November 2015	11
December 2015	11
January 2016	9
February 2016	6
March 2016	11
April 2016	1
May 2016	9
June 2016	6
July 2016	1
August 2016	5
September 2016	1

Chamber and committees