Chamber and committees

Questions and answers

Parliamentary questions can be asked by any MSP to the Scottish Government or the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body. The questions provide a means for MSPs to get factual and statistical information.

Written questions must be answered within 10 working days (20 working days during recess)
Other questions such as Topical, Portfolio, General and First Minister's Question Times are taken in the Chamber

Urgent Questions aren't included in the Question and Answers search. There is a SPICe fact sheet listing Urgent and emergency questions.

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Question reference: S5W-19045

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 September 2018
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 12 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5T-01217 by Derek Mackay on 18 September 2018 (Official Report, c. 7), how many of the 400 jobs associated with the work on the ferries are seasonal or temporary, and what information it has regarding how many of the employees are domiciled or resident in Scotland.

Question reference: S5W-19119

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 28 September 2018
Current Status: Answered by Michael Matheson on 12 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what impact the reported pay disputes between Transport Scotland and the contractor are having on the opening of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR).

There are no disputes impacting on the opening of the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR). While Aberdeen Roads Limited (ARL) reports that the project is on target to open in late autumn 2018, they are unable to estimate a precise opening date while remedial work continues at the River Don Crossing.

Construction issues such as that experienced on the structure over the Don are regrettable but not unusual on a project of this scale and complexity. These defects must be taken seriously, investigated thoroughly and remedied appropriately. The cost of these repairs will be borne by the contractor and the public purse will not be impacted by this work, as payment is made as sections of the road become available for traffic.

I understand and share the public frustration that the road has not yet opened, and can confirm that Transport Scotland is doing everything possible to deliver the benefits of the new road at the earliest opportunity, once the outstanding repairs are properly completed.

I have instructed Transport Scotland to investigate the potential to open the 31.5km section of new road from Craibstone to Stonehaven and Charleston as soon as possible, while remedial work at the Don progresses. Discussions have taken place with ARL and they are currently progressing this matter through the necessary governance channels within their organisations. It is right and important that ARL considers this matter carefully; but I urge them to conclude their deliberations swiftly so the people of the north east can start to benefit from the new road as soon as possible.

Question reference: S5W-18172

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 13 August 2018
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 11 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how many times CalMac-operated ferries have been delayed since 1 May 2018.

During the period between 1 May 2018 and 31 August 2018 a total of 53,856 sailings were scheduled by CalMac Ferries Ltd on the Clyde and Hebrides Ferry service network. Of these, a total of 2,678 sailings (4.97%) were delayed, including those that qualify as “relief events” that are due to factors beyond the operator’s control, such as adverse weather. After relief events are taken into account, there were 315 delayed sailings or (0.58%) of all sailings.

Question reference: S5W-19041

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 September 2018
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 11 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5T-01217 by Derek Mackay on 18 September 2018 (Official Report, c. 7), what correspondence it has had with the (a) European Commission and (b) EU Directorate-General for Competition regarding the loan to Ferguson Marine.

Scottish Ministers have provided two commercial loan facilities to Ferguson Marine Engineering Limited. These were negotiated on fully commercial terms following appropriate due diligence and with the benefit of independent third-party verification. On this basis we concluded there was no state aid present in the loans provided to Ferguson Marine and, as per normal protocol, the Scottish Government has not corresponded with European Commission or EU Directorate-General for Competition in relation to the loans to Ferguson Marine.

Question reference: S5W-19046

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Tuesday, 25 September 2018
Current Status: Answered by Derek Mackay on 11 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government, further to the answer to question S5T-01217 by Derek Mackay on 18 September 2018 (Official Report, c. 7), what the repayment conditions are of the loan to Ferguson Marine; what interest rate is being charged; when the repayment is due, and what enforcement options are available to it if payment is not received or is withheld.

Scottish Ministers have provided two commercial loan facilities to Ferguson Marine Engineering Limited on fully commercial terms. The terms and conditions of the loan agreements are commercially confidential. The Government has a duty of care to protect such sensitive commercial information and not to disclose material which would (or would be likely to) prejudice substantially the commercial interests of any person or organisation.

Question reference: S5W-18173

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Monday, 13 August 2018
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 5 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government how many times the CalMac ferry from Ullapool to Stornoway has been delayed since 1 May 2018.

Question reference: S5W-18996

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Friday, 21 September 2018
Current Status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 3 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government whether there are any plans to move the homeport of the Arran ferry while the harbour is being upgraded.

Question reference: S5O-02417

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 19 September 2018
Current Status: Answered by Mairi Gougeon on 27 September 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what schemes it has introduced to compensate farmers for lost income due to failures with public transport systems, including ferries.

While there are schemes in place to compensate rail and ferry passengers for any delays or disruption caused by transport operational issues, there are no such equivalent schemes for freight customers, including farm businesses. We know, however, that many farmers and crofters have experienced adversity this year due to the impact of extreme weather. That is why we are providing a loan scheme again this year for basic payments to aid cash flow through the winter. We are encouraging everyone who has received a loan offer to respond by Friday 28 September so they can be included in the first batch of payments due to start on 8 October. However loan acceptances received after 28 September will still be paid, including those yet to receive a loan offer.

Question reference: S5O-02442

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 26 September 2018
Current Status: Taken in the Chamber on 4 October 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what steps it is taking to improve accessibility at railway stations.

Question reference: S5W-18741

Asked by: Jamie Greene, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party
Date lodged: Wednesday, 12 September 2018
Current Status: Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 21 September 2018

To ask the Scottish Government what analysis has been carried out of the potential impact on (a) air quality and (b) the environment of the proposed oil rig decommissioning plant in Hunterston.