Public Audit Committee
The 2021/22 audit of Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow (Holdings) Limited
Background
On 14 March 2023, the Auditor General for Scotland published the 2021/22 audit of Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow (Holdings) Limited.
The reports says:
"There remains uncertainty about the longer-term sustainability of FMPG. Further investment in FMPG and its workforce will be required for it to be able to secure future contracts once it has completed vessels 801 and 802. The Scottish Government has commissioned an independent review of future options for the yard, which is ongoing. Working together, FMPG and the Scottish Government need to establish and clarify plans for the future of the yard as soon as possible."
Read the report on Audit Scotland's website
Information about the Public Audit Committee's consideration of the report can be found below.
Meetings
27 April 2023
The Committee took evidence from:
Stephen Boyle, the Auditor General for Scotland; Mark Taylor, Audit Director, Audit Scotland; and Joanne Brown, Partner, Grant Thornton LLP.
Read the agenda and meeting papers, 27 April 2023
Read the Official Report, 27 April 2023
Read the meeting minutes, 27 April 2023
Decision: The Committee agreed to invite Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow (Holdings) Limited and the Scottish Government to give oral evidence at a future meeting. The Committee also agreed to write to the Scottish Government.
Decision: The Committee noted correspondence from Director-General Economy and the Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing, Economy, Fair Work and Energy at its meeting on 18 May 2023 and agreed to invite the Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing, Economy, Fair Work and Energy to give oral evidence at a future meeting.
1 June 2023
The Committee took evidence from:
David Tydeman, Chief Executive Officer; and Andrew Miller, Chair, Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow (Holdings) Limited; and
Gregor Irwin, Director-General Economy; and Colin Cook, Director for Economic Development, Scottish Government.
Followed by:
Stephen Boyle, the Auditor General for Scotland; Mark Taylor, Audit Director, Audit Scotland; and Joanne Brown, Partner, Grant Thornton UK LLP.
Read the agenda and meeting papers, 1 June 2023
Read the Official Report, 1 June 2023
Read the meeting minutes, 1 June 2023
Decision: The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government on issues raised during the meeting.
Decision: At its meeting on 22 June 2023 the Committee noted correspondence from the Director-General Economy dated 15 June 2023.
Decision: At its meeting on 7 September 2023, in relation to its scrutiny of New vessels for the Clyde and Hebrides: Arrangements to deliver vessels 801 and 802, the Committee noted correspondence from the former director of Ferguson Marine Engineering Limited dated 11 May 2023 and the Director-General Economy dated 7 July 2023. The Committee also considered correspondence from the Auditor General for Scotland on 21 August 2023 and agreed to write to the Scottish Government. The Committee also noted correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy dated 30 July 2023 and 23 August 2023 in relation to updates on Glen Sannox, Hull 801 and Hull 802 provided by Ferguson Marine Port Glasgow (Holdings) Limited.
Decision: At its meeting on 26 October 2023, in relation to its scrutiny of new vessels for the Clyde and Hebrides: Arrangements to deliver vessels 801 and 802, the Committee considered correspondence from the Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Fair Work and Energy, dated 29 September 20323 and 4 October 2023 and agreed to write to the Cabinet Secretary. The Committee also considered correspondence from the Minister for Transport and agreed to write to the Minister.
The Committee considered the report titled "Procurement of vessels 801 and 802: Allegations of fraud" prepared by Barry Smith KC and published by Caledonian Maritime Assets (CMAL) and agreed to write to CMAL, the Scottish Government and Transport Scotland.