Chamber and committees

Scottish Ministers are responsible for awarding the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract and Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd. (CMAL) the related harbour operating agreements. Since the current operator of the services (CalMac Ferries Ltd) and CMAL are wholly owned by Scottish Ministers, there are robust arrangements in place to ensure the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services procurement is conducted in a fair and transparent manner.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-26294 on 16 July 2015. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx.

Scottish Ministers have the responsibility to deliver the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services in the event of operator failure.

As of now, the next Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services contract will require the successful operator to engage and consult with a range of stakeholders, including local communities and councils, throughout the term of the contract.

Executive Director appointments to the CalMac Ferries Ltd (CFL) Board are made by the David MacBrayne Ltd Board. Other senior management appointments to CFL are made by the CFL Managing Director and his senior team in accordance with the company's recruitment and employment practices.

It is a matter for bidders as to who will form their management team. The strength of the bidders’ management team will be considered and discussed as part of their tender.

It is the Scottish Rural University College, not the Scottish Government, that is conducting a consultation on their proposed changes to the Disease Surveillance Centre Network.

Scotland’s Rural College is currently conducting a consultation on their proposed changes to the Disease Surveillance Centre Network, and are seeking to determine the most appropriate number and location of centres to ensure it meets their obligations related to the Veterinary Surveillance Programme.

The Scottish Government notes that research commissioned by the Department for Transport concludes there are significant challenges in assessing the likely implications of a rise in HGV speed limits. What is clear is that the department forecasts the increase in HGV speed limits south of the border will lead to an increase in deaths and serious injuries.

With this in mind, the Scottish Government feels it is more appropriate to understand the outcomes of the trial currently underway on the A9, where the rise has been implemented in conjunction with an average speed camera system, than engage in further research which may be equally limited by the practical challenges of assessing such a change. We will also ensure that evidence emerging from the change in England and Wales is taken into account in future considerations of HGV speed limits.

The Teckal exemption requires a challenging series of conditions to be met to avoid European procurement regulations. Notwithstanding the applicability, or otherwise, of the Teckal exemption, the European Commission’s Maritime Cabotage Regulations still require the tendering of the Clyde and Hebrides and Northern Isles ferry services, given the provision of state aid to support these services. Consequently, the Scottish Government has not discussed the Teckal exemption with the European Commission.