Question reference: S5W-36171
- Asked by: Elaine Smith, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 11 March 2021
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Current status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 23 March 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether the Ferry Industry Advisory Group (FIAG) has met since 17 October 2019 and whether it will publish any correspondence it has received since that date from members of the FIAG on policy issues affecting Scottish ferry workers.
Answer
The last meeting of the FIAG was held on 17 October 2019. No further meetings have been held due to the focus remaining on the response to COVID, although we continue to engage closely with key stakeholders
Membership, Terms of Reference and minutes of meetings, including papers discussed, are published on the Transport Scotland Website:
https://www.transport.gov.scot/public-transport/ferries/ferry-industry-advisory-group/
Transport Scotland does not routinely publish correspondence, however on review Transport Scotland can find no such correspondence from members on these specific topics affecting Scottish ferry workers in their FIAG role. There is of course ongoing correspondence between Group members including between Transport Scotland, CMAL and CalMac on a variety of policy matters, albeit in their own capacity rather than in relation to their FIAG roles; that correspondence would not be routinely published.
We have other channels for dialogue on issues affecting Scottish ferry workers. For example, we continue to engage quarterly with trade unions on matters affecting Scottish ferry workers, the delivery of ferry services in Scotland and the deployment of fair work principles in procurement decisions. Those discussions continue to be valuable and constructive.