Question reference: S5W-02076
- Asked by: Michael Russell, MSP for Argyll and Bute, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 19 August 2016
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Current status: Answered by Humza Yousaf on 7 September 2016
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5W-01335 by Humza Yousaf on 5 August 2016, whether it will ask Cal Mac Ferries to release the information requested on the basis of a non-disclosure agreement with named individuals in communities served by these routes in order to allow research into, and informed development of, policy on present and future ferry needs.
Answer
The public service contract for the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry Services was signed on 22 August 2016 and Cal Mac, as the successful bidder, is subject to the terms and conditions of that contract. The contract will be made available in due course, on the Transport Scotland website. Commercially sensitive data will be redacted from the published contract. The Scottish Government has no plans at present to ask Cal Mac to release the commercially sensitive information requested in S5W-01335, or to ask Cal Mac Ferries to provide more detail regarding the precise commercial risks that are anticipated, if the requested information was made available to communities. The Scottish Government will continue to engage with Cal Mac on those issues in pursuance of the delivery of the contract and the formulation of ferries policy. As part of that process, the Scottish Government notes Cal Mac’s intention to improve levels of engagement with the communities served by the company.