Chamber and committees

We are satisfied that the Northern Isles ferry contract between Scottish ministers and NorthLink Ferries Ltd is sufficiently open and transparent.

The contract between Scottish ministers and NorthLink Ferries Ltd is a legally binding agreement that specifies the approved ferry services to be delivered. NorthLink cannot alter the terms and conditions of the contract or make changes to the approved ferry services without the agreement of Scottish ministers.

Although the contract contains a detailed performance and deduction regime that enables financial penalties to be imposed on NorthLink in particular circumstances, it does not cover operational matters such as how many staff NorthLink should employ on particular functions or where they should be located. Such operational matters are for NorthLink to consider.

The location of individual staff posts is an operational matter for NorthLink to consider. In circumstances where changes resulted in NorthLink buying in services from a sister company, or any other company, it would be for NorthLink to agree appropriate commercial terms with the supplier of those services. Indeed, we understand that NorthLink already buys in work from other companies, including some from those within the David MacBrayne Ltd Group, on a commercial basis and that the contracts concerned ensure that the full costs are charged in all cases.

Accordingly, the restructuring of financial processing functions within the Group would have no implications for the openness and transparency of the Northern Isles ferry contract with NorthLink Ferries Ltd.

Bidders for future ferry contracts would need to make their own decisions on the number and location of staff they felt would be required to deliver the services being tendered. In doing so, they would also need consider whether the Transfer of Undertakings (TUPE) legislation would apply and reflect any relevant cost implications in their bids.

The information requested is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Metal dealing is covered by sections 28 to 37 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act 1982. Under those provisions, the 32 local authorities are responsible for licensing metal dealers and itinerant metal dealers. A task group was set up by the previous administration to review the licensing provisions contained in the 1982 Act. We intended to include provisions in the Criminal Justice and Licensing (Scotland) Bill to implement recommendations from the group''s report. The recommendations included changes to the metal dealing provisions. However, in the light of the growing concerns about metal thefts we will seek the views of the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland on the issues involved and reassess the legislative position in the light of its response.

The information requested is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

The information requested is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

The information requested is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

The information requested is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

The information requested is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.