Questions and answers

Question reference: S5W-25863

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 30 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what information it has on the number of Scottish seafarers who are employed on the (a) Helliar and (b) Hildasay freight ships chartered to work on the Northern Isles Ferry Services contract.

There are currently 19 positions (including 1 cadet who is a Scottish seafarer) on the Helliar and 18 on the Hildasay. All crew on board the vessels are entitled to work in the UK and are European nationals.

The crew on these vessels are provided through Marine Manning Guernsey Limited.

Crew on board the freight vessels continue to benefit from the principles set out in the Fair Work Framework such as; access to NorthLink’s extensive training programme, genuine workforce engagement and payment of the Living Wage.

Question reference: S5W-25870

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 30 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish guidance regarding the provision of bus services by transport authorities.

The Transport (Scotland) Bill was passed on 10 October and is anticipated to receive Royal Assent before the end of this year.

A good deal of preparatory work will be undertaken on the significant volume of regulations and guidance required in relation to the new provisions on bus services. My officials will be engaging with local transport authorities and operators over the coming months in taking this work forward with a view to beginning commencement of the provisions during 2020.

Question reference: S5W-25816

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 14 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 30 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government whether there is a subsidy claw back provision in the 2019-27 contract for Northern Isles Ferry Services awarded to Serco NorthLink.

Question reference: S5W-25818

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 14 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 30 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the cost to (a) public funds and (b) Serco NorthLink of planned improvements to the terminal facilities at Hatston, Kirkwall during the 2019-27 contract for Northern Isles Ferry Services, and when it expects those improvements to be completed.

We initially estimated the total contract value at some £370 million. It is for the operator to deliver costed service solutions that fall within that initial value.

Although annual subsidy requirements will be published on a retrospective basis, financial details of the successful bidder's tender, including improvements to the terminal facilities at Hatston, Kirkwall, will remain commercially confidential.

This remains a live procurement and there is a limit on what further information can be provided at this time. A redacted version of the signed contract will subsequently be made available on Transport Scotland's website.

Question reference: S5W-25817

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 14 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 30 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what estimate it has made of the annual cost to (a) public funds and (b) Serco NorthLink from the planned (i) maintenance and (ii) dry docking of the publicly-owned fleet during the 2019-27 Northern Isles Ferry Services contract.

We initially estimated the total contract value at some £370 million. It is for the operator to deliver costed service solutions that fall within that initial value.

Although annual subsidy requirements will be published on a retrospective basis, financial details of the successful bidder's tender, including planned maintenance and dry docking will remain commercially confidential.

This remains a live procurement and there is a limit on what further information can be provided at this time. A redacted version of the signed contract will subsequently be made available on Transport Scotland's website.

Question reference: S5W-25820

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Monday, 14 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 30 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government further to the Transport Scotland news release of 20 September 2019, whether it expects to introduce the three-year fares freeze for (a) passengers, (b) non-commercial vehicles and (c) cabins on the (i) Aberdeen-Lerwick and (ii) Kirkwall-Lerwick routes from January 2020.

Question reference: S5W-25854

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 29 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government how many additional support for learning staff have been employed during each of the last 10 years, also broken down by local authority.

We want all children and young people to receive the support they need to reach their full potential.

We are clear that all school staff provide additional support for learning, not just support for learning staff.

Information on the number of staff employed during each of the last 10 years, broken down by local authority can be found here:

https://www2.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School-Education
/SupportStaff

https://www2.gov.scot/Topics/Statistics/Browse/School-Education/
teachcenssuppdata

https://www.webarchive.org.uk/wayback/archive/20180515164130/
http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2010/02/09090009/110 .

Question reference: S5W-25855

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Tuesday, 15 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by John Swinney on 29 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government what discussions it has had with COSLA on its Programme for Government announcement to invest an additional £15 million in additional support for learning.

The Scottish Government has had a number of discussions with CoSLA about our commitment to invest an additional £15 million in additional support for learning.

We are engaging with CoSLA to agree how this commitment will be implemented across Scotland to build capacity within education authorities and schools to respond more effectively to the individual needs of children and young people; and enhance learning outcomes to ensure young people reach their future potential.

Question reference: S5W-25873

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 29 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government on what date it (a) received or (b) expects to receive the report by the Planning and Environmental Appeals Division on the public inquiry on the Whitesands Flood Protection Scheme, and when it will announce its decision whether to proceed with or reject the scheme.

Question reference: S5W-25875

Asked by: Colin Smyth, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
Date lodged: Wednesday, 16 October 2019
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 25 October 2019

To ask the Scottish Government by what date it expects the proposals set out in the recently passed Transport (Scotland) Bill regarding bus services to come into effect.

The Transport (Scotland) Bill was passed on 10 October and is anticipated to receive Royal Assent before the end of this year.

A good deal of preparatory work will be undertaken on the significant volume of regulations and guidance required in relation to the new provisions on bus services. My officials will be engaging with local transport authorities and operators over the coming months in taking this work forward with a view to beginning commencement of the provisions during 2020.

Chamber and committees