Questions and answers

Question reference: S6W-30102

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Monday, 23 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 7 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-29506 by Fiona Hyslop on 17 September 2024, what the estimated cost to the taxpayer is of administering the tender process for this contract.

Question reference: S6O-04046

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 01 October 2024
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 10 October 2024

To ask the Scottish Government TEST.

Question reference: S6W-29288

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Monday, 26 August 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 24 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will provide a timescale for the introduction of an integrated ticketing scheme covering all forms of public transport.

Significant progress has been made in recent years to improve smart, integrated ticketing and payment on public transport. Since 2019 Scottish smartcards are universal, meaning they are compatible for nearly all smart tickets available in Scotland. This includes the National Entitlement Card which is used by over two million citizens for concessionary travel. Regionally there are six integrated multi-bus operator or multi-modal schemes available in Scotland’s main cities, on a mix of mobile or smartcard platforms. The Smart, Integrated Ticketing and Payment Delivery Strategy, published on 21 August 2024 also provides detail on activity over the next period to build on this progress.

Question reference: S6W-29507

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 18 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what CMAL's total capital budget is for the Small Vessel Replacement Programme.

The current estimate for the seven new vessels and related port works in SVRP Phase 1 is £175 million. CMAL are progressing the vessel procurement with a view to agreeing a contract around March in 2025. The project spend profile remains under review and will be subject to completion of appropriate procurement processes, agreement of delivery schedules with the successful shipyard and port works providers, and approvals from Ministers. Budget will be allocated annually as part of the normal budget process.

Question reference: S6W-29505

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 18 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will set out the capital allocation for (a) vessel procurement and (b) harbour infrastructure upgrades in Phase 1 of the Small Vessel Replacement Programme.

The full costs of the procurement for the seven vessels as part of the Small Vessels Replacement Programme are estimated to be around £175 million including the provision of harbour upgrades and shore power connections.

The split cannot be given at this time given the live procurement of the programme and will only be known following the successful completion of the procurement exercise, anticipated March 2025.

Question reference: S6W-29512

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 17 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what assessment (a) Transport Scotland and (b) CMAL has made of (i) passenger accessibility and (ii) crew training for the Phase 1 contract in the Small Vessel Replacement Programme.

Question reference: S6W-29508

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 17 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government when it expects to issue the invitation to tender for the Phase 1 design and build contract in the Small Vessel Replacement Programme, and what it anticipates the value will be of this public contract.

Question reference: S6W-29506

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 17 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the cost of the tendering process for the Small Vessel Replacement Programme Phase 1 contract.

Question reference: S6W-29504

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 17 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what recent steps it has taken to ensure that low and zero carbon-fuelled ferries are safely (a) crewed and (b) operational from all harbours on the (i) Clyde and Hebrides, (ii) Northern Isles and (iii) inter-island ferry service contract routes.

Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) work with operators, crew and unions to ensure that all replacement ferries are safely crewed and operated from the ports and harbours they are set to serve before their introduction. The four vessels being built at Cemre are sister vessels, of a standardised design and layout and as such the crew will be interoperable. This will be the case also for the seven vessels as part of the Small Vessel Replacement Programme. Port works are also being undertaken to ensure that they are suitable for the new vessels.

Inter-island ferry services and operations must also comply with strict training and safety regulations for crew.

Question reference: S6W-29509

Asked by: Richard Leonard, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
Submitting member has a registered interest.
Date lodged: Tuesday, 03 September 2024
Current Status: Answered by Fiona Hyslop on 17 September 2024

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to ensure that the successful bidder for the Phase 1 design and build contract in the Small Vessel Replacement Programme is required to recognise trade unions, including seafarer unions, at the (a) test and survey, (b) launch, (c) equip and (d) sea trial stage of the contract.

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