Question reference: S6W-26087
- Asked by: Alexander Burnett, MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
- Date lodged: 19 March 2024
-
Current status: Answered by Angela Constance on 15 April 2024
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S6W-25728 by Angela Constance on 4 March 2024, whether it can provide a detailed breakdown of the £91.23 hourly cost; what its position is on whether this cost represents value for money, and what details it can provide regarding the procurement contract for the audio transcription service, including any consideration that it has given to seeking alternative providers.
Answer
The Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service (SCTS) record solemn criminal proceedings using a Digital Audio Recording System. While the record of proceedings will be retained by SCTS, they are not routinely transcribed.
Transcription is done by an external agency and the details of the procurement contract are entirely a matter for SCTS. I can advise that SCTS has utilised a Crown Commercial Services (CCS) Framework RM1557 contract, available to all Government organisations. The benefits of this contract are, scalable services enabling pay for what you use, and the ability to increase or reduce what you need easily alongside a quick and easy route to market.