Chamber and committees

I refer the member to the answer to question S6W-24412 on 22 January 2024, to the answer to question S6W-23642 on 7 December 2023, and to the answer to question S6W-20127 on 21 July 2023. All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament's website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers .

I wrote to the Secretary of State for Business and Trade in November 2023 welcoming the UK Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Plan, and to offer the Scottish Government’s commitment to work collectively to deliver on the key elements of direct relevance to Scotland. The Advanced Manufacturing Plan will be supported by the Green Industries Growth Accelerator fund.

Details of the precise delivery of the Advanced Manufacturing Plan and Green Industries Growth Accelerator are yet to be finalised. The Scottish Government will continue to offer support to the UK Government at official and Ministerial level, ensuring that opportunities within Scotland are maximised.

The Small Vessel Replacement Programme is complex. Costs, delivery timescales and funding profiles evolve as details develop through the ongoing outline business case process. The re-profiling of budget from 2023-24 will not impact on the timelines for delivery as set out in recent public engagement events. The first vessel is currently expected to be delivered in the third quarter of 2026 with further vessels at four to six month intervals thereafter until 2028.

Alongside a dedicated Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service 3 team and internal specialist support on Legal, Financial & Subsidy control, the Scottish Government have engaged with external specialist technical, legal and financial advisors and will continue to engage as required to complete the necessary due diligence on a potential “Teckal” direct award.

The Multiple Supplier Framework Agreement for Maritime Consultancy Services was awarded to the following suppliers (1) Stantec UK Limited (2) Turner and Townsend Project Management Limited and (3) Fisher Advisory Ltd. Transport Scotland publishes the results of all regulated procurements via contract award notices on the Public Contracts Scotland website. The Contract Award Notice is available with the following link: https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=JUN451348

As transport is a devolved matter there is no formal requirement for Scottish Government to discuss the next contract for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Service with representatives of the UK Government. Transport Scotland officials do, however, have regular discussions with UK Government Department for Transport officials regarding a number of maritime issues.

To date there have been two call-off contracts under the Multiple Supplier Framework Agreement for Maritime Consultancy Services. They have a combined total value of £82,170.

The Scottish Government’s position is that lifeline ferry services are classed as Services of Public Economic Interest under the UK Subsidy Control Act.

There are currently seven members of staff in the Scottish Government subsidy control team.

Transport Scotland are working closely with specialist commercial and technical advisors, Turner and Townsend, to progress development of the next Clyde and Hebrides (CHFS) contract specification. Alongside other internal and external specialists, and together with ongoing community and other key stakeholder engagement, this work will continue throughout the due diligence exercise to confirm the most effective, efficient and affordable approach delivering the CHFS network.